A Trade Has Been Completed in Goal Within the Montreal Canadiens Organization

Originally posted on Habs Fanatics | By Elias Edmonson | Last updated Feb 23, 2025 7:42 PM ET

We have a minor trade to announce within the Montreal Canadiens organization, involving a goaltender as well. It might be a name you're already familiar with if you follow the Habs closely, but goaltender Joe Vrbetic is back.

About two weeks ago, Quebec-born goaltender Zachary Emond left the Canadiens' and Trois-Rivières Lions' organization.

'The Lions have used three goaltenders all season, which is very efficient.
Emond will now have the opportunity to go to Europe to make some money and experience that wonderful European life.

That's sometimes how it goes in the ECHL.'

- Andrew Zadarnowski

Well, today, Emond has been replaced within the Canadiens' organization chart.

The Lions acquire Joe Vrbetic, making him the Montreal Canadiens' 7th goaltender

This is interesting in terms of organizational depth for the Montreal Canadiens at the goaltending position.

So, we now have:

- Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes in Montreal

- Cayden Primeau and Connor Hughes in Laval

- Luke Cavallin, Hunter Jones, and Joe Vrbetic in Trois-Rivières

That looks like a solid goaltending depth chart to me.

'The Trois-Rivières Lions have acquired the rights to Joe Vrbetic in exchange for monetary considerations.
Welcome back, Big Joe!'

- Trois-Rivières Lions

Vrbetic, only 22 years old, is a 6-foot-6, 186-pound goaltender who was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 7th round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

After two seasons with the Laval Rocket and Trois-Rivières Lions, he had been playing with the Indy Fuel since the start of the 2024-2025 season.

He was also a regular at previous Montreal Canadiens training camps (before roster cuts).

This article first appeared on Habs Fanatics and was syndicated with permission.

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