Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Teemu Selanne almost signed with Montreal during his prime

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 1:34 AM ET

Teemu Selanne had an impressive NHL career. The Finnish player, who scored 76 goals and 132 points in his rookie season, finished his career with 684 goals and 1,457 points in 1,451 games.

He was very, very talented.
During his career, he wore the jerseys of the Jets, the Mighty Ducks (and the Ducks), the Sharks, and the Avalanche. But according to Selanne himself, another team could have been on that list: the Montreal Canadiens.
During his appearance on Hockey with an Accent, Selanne revealed that in the late 1990s (while he was in his prime), he seriously considered signing a contract with the Canadiens.
The reason? He wanted to play with Saku Koivu, another Finn.

Teemu Selanne almost joined the Habs to play with Saku Koivu?!
What could have been!

Watch the full episode on YouTubehttps://t.co/mCgmgH29sM @TeemuSel8nne | @Lappy14 | @DailyFaceoff #GoHabsGo | #NHL pic.twitter.com/ksU46UwEcd
— Hockey with an Accent (@hockeyaccent1) March 16, 2026

Selanne explains that he often discussed this with Koivu (with whom he ultimately played in Anaheim toward the end of his career), and that he really almost let himself be tempted by Montreal. That said, at that point, he realized he was happy in Anaheim and didn't want to leave.
It's worth noting that he was traded to San Jose in 2001, shortly after passing up Montreal to stay in Anaheim.

Ultimately, Selanne says he was happy to play with Koivu in Anaheim, but also on numerous occasions on the international stage. Except that listening to him talk, you realize that the idea of him ending up in Montreal really almost came to pass at one point.

That would have been something.

In a nutshell– You couldn’t make this stuff up.

A fan wearing a Habs jersey just got hit with a puck at the Leafs/Islanders game in Toronto.

The fan appears to be alright. pic.twitter.com/UeLQVIGV0Z
— BarDown (@BarDown) March 18, 2026
– Hehe.

David Savard, put down the phone and put on some skates, brother—the Habs need you.
Bring Steve Bégin too. pic.twitter.com/wacJgWWkPs
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) March 18, 2026

— Bad news for the Blue Jays.