NHL Rumor Roundup: Will The Red Wings Add A Scorer? Will The Canadiens Move Montembeault?

David Kirouac-Imagn ImagesDavid Kirouac-Imagn ImagesSep 22, 2026 2:31 PMPublished Sep 22, 2026 2:31 PMUpdated Sep 22, 2026 2:40 PMThe Detroit Red Wings still need help with their 5-on-5 scoring, and Montreal Canadiens goalie Samuel Montembeault continues to surface in the rumor mill. As the Detroit Red Wings began training camp last week, Max Bultman of The Athletic wondered if adding Viktor Arvidsson was enough to improve their offense, especially at even strength. The Red Wings were 30th with 142 goals at 5-on-5 last season. Arvidsson was signed on July 1, but Patrick Kane's return to Chicago three weeks later put them back at square one. It also doesn't help that the Red Wings have been searching for a new GM since relieving Steve Yzerman of his duties in mid-July. It wasn't until last week that they named assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff as interim GM. The Red Wings' ongoing need for even-strength scoring prompted TSN's Pierre LeBrun to wonder if Patrik Laine would be a good fit. The 28-year-old winger is among the few noteworthy scorers still available in the free-agent market. A 44-goal scorer with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18, Laine has been frequently sidelined by injuries, hampering his performance and limiting his playing time. Acquired by the Montreal Canadiens in August 2024, he was primarily a power-play specialist when healthy. Laine could help the Red Wings on the power play, but he won't address their even-strength issues.Montembeault On The Move? Speaking of the Canadiens, goaltender Samuel Montembeault continues to surface in the rumor mill. Montembeault, 30, lost the starter’s job to Jakub Dobes last season and, by season’s end, was the team's third-string goalie. With his contract expiring next summer and his future with the Canadiens in doubt, he remains a trade candidate. NHL insider Frank Seravalli appeared on The Jason Gregor Show last Thursday, during which he predicted Montembeault would be the first player traded this season. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes last week said he was fine carrying three goalies during training camp, but probably not for the regular season. Hughes could peddle Montembeault, but it could take time to find a suitable trade partner given his struggles last season. If Hughes prefers carrying two goalies, he could keep Montembeault as Dobes’ backup and send the waiver-exempt Jacob Fowler to their AHL affiliate in Laval for more seasoning. That has some Canadiens followers fearful that they'll repeat last season's mistake of keeping Montembeault in the lineup too long before replacing him, which could cost them wins this season. Montembeault likely has a shorter leash now. The Canadiens were reluctant to use Fowler last fall because they didn't want to rush his development. However, that's not an issue this time because of Fowler's solid play once he was called up in December. For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.