Montreal Canadiens: Peter Budaj Traded To Winnipeg Jets, Christian Thomas and Darren Dietz Cut
By Sean Tierney
Montreal Canadiens: Peter Budaj Traded To Winnipeg Jets, Christian Thomas and Darren Dietz demoted to Hamilton
The Montreal Canadiens were busy just days before the start of the regular season. The Habs ended months of speculation, dealing veteran goaltender Peter Budaj and Patrick Holland to the Winnipeg Jets for F Eric Tangradi.
Canadiens acquire Eric Tangradi from the Winnipeg Jets, in return for Peter Budaj and Patrick Holland.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 5, 2014
DETAILS -> http://t.co/KpTT3uFKJ5
The writing was on the wall for Budaj after Dustin Tokarski started in last year’s playoffs following the Carey Price injury. Coach Michel Therrien’s decision to start the young Tokarski instead of Budaj basically sealed Budaj’s fate.
Peter Budaj posted solid backup stats last season, including 10 wins, a .909 SV%, a 2.51 GAA, and a shutout in 24 games.
But, Dustin Tokarski‘s star has been on the rise since last season and the young netminder is now set to play in the NHL full-time.
Beyond solving the logjam in their crease, the Montreal Canadiens also received forward Eric Tangradi from the Jets.
With 15 points in 136 NHL games, Tangradi hasn’t shown much. In the AHL, Tangradi has been nearly a point-per-game player.
Perhaps Tangradi can strengthen the depth chart for the Hamilton Bulldogs and earn a call-up during the season. However, this trade seems to be more about salary relief and respect for a veteran netminder than about acquiring Tangradi’s limited services.
Montreal Canadiens:
Christian Thomas and Darren Dietz Join Dumont, Drewiske, and Bowman as Roster Cuts
Late last week, Drayson Bowman was released from his tryout contract, while Gabriel Dumont and Davis Drewiske were demoted to the AHL.
On Sunday, Thomas and Dietz were demoted to the Hamilton Bulldogs as well. This leaves the Montreal Canadiens with 24 players in camp and only one cut left to make.
Jacob De La Rose, Jarred Tinordi, Francis Bouillon, and maybe Travis Moen are considered to be on the bubble for the final cut, though, Moen and his one-way contract and leadership skills is probably safe.
What do you think, Habs fans? Did the Montreal Canadiens make the right decisions in trading Peter Budaj and demoting Thomas and Dietz?