Budaj definitely had a pretty good year last season as a backup goaltender (10-8-3, with a 2.51 goal against average and a 0.909 efficiency) and always kept a professional attitude, whatever happened. The perfect teammate, the Slovakian goalie never seemed affected by the possibility of Tokarski getting his spot as the second goaltender of the Canadiens. The reason behind the trade must be the inability of Budaj to perform under pressure. Sure, as a backup, he could definitely step up his game when asked for it, but on long trips, he always cracked up after playing two or three straight games. He could always deliver one or two good performances, but he failed to show up when he had to start many games in a row.
More than that, he had chances to show what he could do during the playoffs, but he has never been able to prove he deserved to be in the net at that crucial time of the year (7 games started, 0-2 with an awful GAA of 5.13 and a terrible 0.843 save percentage). In fact, in the only game he started last playoffs, he allowed three goals on eight shots, not to mention the year before against Ottawa, he allowed seven goals on 31 shots. With Winnipeg, he will come in the room as a veteran who has some experience, and he will be able to help their young players grow up just like Gionta will do in Buffalo.
As for Tokarski, many people told me they were expecting Bergevin to send him down to Hamilton for another year, but what you must keep in mind is that if Tokarski had been cut, he would have had to go on waivers for 24 hours, then another team could have claimed him, and then, the Habs would have lost him for nothing and it is pretty certain a team would have claimed the young keeper. He had a pretty decent season with Hamilton last year considering their very young team (20-16-3 with a 2.38 average and 0.919 efficiency) and showed promising things when he was called up to replace Carey Price against the New York Rangers last spring (2-3 with a 2.60 average and a 0.916 save percentage). Not only that, but he has been one of the Canadiens' top players during this last playoffs run. Bergevin always said he wanted to bring as many young players as he could in the big league since he want the Habs to be competitive for a long time, so he did not have any other choice than to promote Tokarski as Price's backup and trade Peter Budaj.
We also learned today that Peter Budaj had asked to be traded after last season since he was not happy about the way the organization treated him. Still, he didn't go publicly as he is a pure professional.
We also learned today that Peter Budaj had asked to be traded after last season since he was not happy about the way the organization treated him. Still, he didn't go publicly as he is a pure professional.
Instead of losing Budaj for nothing by placing him on the waiver wire, Montreal's general manager decided to trade him for forward Eric Tangradi. As a trade, I think it is a good fit for both teams. Former Winnipeg Jets forward Tangradi in on the last year of a two-year contract worth $1.35M. His cap hit counts for 675,000$, compared to Budaj's salary of $1.4M for the upcoming season, so Habs save $725,000 in salary. Patrick Holland is not included in these maths because he is mostly going to play in AHL. However, if by any chance he would be playing in the NHL, his salary would be a $640,000 cap hit. Financially speaking, Bergevin made a pretty good move there. Also, Budaj really couldn't bring anything else to the Habs, as though Tangradi can bring a physical presence as well as being a 4th liner and bench warmer if needed. Don't expect him to score 30 goals, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Therrien dress him against bigger opponents such as Boston or Philadelphia.
All in all, I think it is a pretty good trade. Only time will tell if Tokarski will be able to live up to his status of #2 goaltender. One thing is certain though. Our future is pretty bright in goal, with Price, Tokarski and the promising Zachary Fucale.
Follow me on Twitter here!
Follow me on Twitter here!
11 comments:
I'm not too sure I agree with trading him for another 4th liner/AHL depth when we already have a glut of 4th liners (Prust, Moen, Weise, Bournival, Dumount). I would have preferred draft pick compensation, but Tangradi is only 25 and may be able to develop a bit of a scoring touch.
Not surprised by the trade, but am a bit with the return.
Welcome to Habs Addict, Dan! Glad to have you!
Well, Tangradi is still considered young, and he could bring us some depth for teams like Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. Don't forget we didn't know what to expect from Dale Weise last year, and he surprised us all, so maybe Bergevin saw something special in Tangradi. I would wait some games and see what he can bring to this team!
As for Budaj, his time with the Habs was pretty much done. Everyone in the NHL knew it, so it was just a matter of actually getting something for him. Maybe it's not THAT big of a trade, but it's not terrible either. Let's give Tangradi a chance !
And thanks! I'm glad to be part of the team!
Wasn't Tangradi on waivers prior to the trade? Wouldn't of we gotten him for nothing if Bergevin reacted quicker?
with Brodeur and Bryz still on the market, Budaj's value was nothing. This is all about doing right by the player and giving him a chance to play.
Anonymous is right on that one.
It was mostly in order to dump a salary and offer Budaj a chance to play with a team who needed him. Pretty shocked WPG decided to send him down though... I doubt they told Bergevin they'd do that, otherwise I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have sent Buds to the Jets...
It seems to me that Bergevin chose the option of stocking his AHL team with NHL-ready size. Tangradi clearing wavers was the deal maker in this case. Montreal wouldn't have traded for Tangradi and risked the embarassment of lossing him on waivers within a week! This trade saved MB from lossing anyone to waivers.
Like Dan B said it s a business move ... maybe now Bergevin has the cap space needed in oder to make another transaction ...I don t quite understand Winnipeg in that transaction ...I suspect that those 2 teams are preparing something else ...
Anonymous #2, you have a point there. Tangradi can also bring some experience to Hamilton's young players, since he has over 120 games played in the NHL... He knows what it takes to get up there, so that's aplus.
Mike, I have to admit I really don't understand why Winnipeg tossed Budaj on waivers right away... And I agree with you, I do think both MTL and WPG are preparing something else as we speak...
As someone who has watched tangradi play for the Jets I think Habs fans will be pleasantly surprised. He skates well and is fast for a big man. You can't get the puck off him on the wall. Has not showed. Scoring touch in the NHL but hasn't seen many minutes. Has decent hands and I believe in the right situation could score 10-15 goals.
@TrueNorth: I'm going to be honest and admit I haven't seen him play many games up to now, but from what I've seen (and I mentioned it in the article), I'm sure we'll be surprised by how well he can do. Now, I'm just uncertain why Jets traded him for an AHL goalie...
Dan, because he has a big sign around his neck. It says 3 goals in 50 games. By the way there were six players who played regularly on jets 4th line. None of them had more than 4 goals.
Post a Comment