Jets make surprise goaltender acquisition

Pick up Budaj from Habs for Tangradi

By: Tim Campbell Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Monday, Oct. 6, 2014

AN unexpected goalie choice and three more roster decisions are on the agenda for the Winnipeg Jets, who are into final preparations for the 2014-15 season that begins for them Thursday in Glendale, Ariz.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/10/2014 (4001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sunday, the Jets dealt waived forward Eric Tangradi to the Montreal Canadiens for veteran backup Peter Budaj, the odd man out on the Habs goalie chart, and 22-year-old right-winger Patrick Holland, who spent most of his first two years as a pro with the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, but did play five games with Montreal.

The Jets also cleared six players from their roster by assigning them to their junior teams or the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps.

Charles Krupa / The Canadian Press
Goalie Peter Budaj played 24 games for Montreal last season, posting a 2.51 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage. — Charles Krupa / The Canadian Press Goalie Peter Budaj played 24 games for Montreal last season, posting a 2.51 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Going back to their junior clubs are 2014 first-round pick Nik Ehlers (Halifax, QMJHL), 2013 first-rounder Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert, WHL) and 2013 second-rounder Nic Petan (Portland, WHL).

Defencemen Keaton Ellerby and Ben Chiarot were sent to the IceCaps and goalie Danny Taylor was released from his tryout. Ellerby must clear waivers before he can be officially assigned.

The sum of all that leaves the Jets with 26 players still in camp.

They have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. CT to get down to their maximum 23-man roster and be in compliance with the NHL’s $69-million salary cap.

That likely means the goalie decision is coming today.

It would seem unlikely the team will keep three goalies to start the season — if they did, that would mean three forwards, not two, would have to be dropped or reassigned.

So the choice will be between Michael Hutchinson, who signed a new, two-year deal in the summer that’s a one-way next season, or Budaj, who’s in the last year of his $1.4-million contract. Both goalies require waivers, so to have one cleared by Tuesday to meet the NHL’s deadline, one needs to go on waivers today.

Beyond that, the Jets have seven defencemen and 16 forwards remaining, including Eric O’Dell and Patrice Cormier, who have missed time due to injury.

If a goalie decision is made and those two forwards begin the season on the injury list, then no further moves would be required before Thursday’s season-opener against the Coyotes.

In acquiring Budaj, the Jets bring in a veteran of nine NHL seasons with Colorado and Montreal, someone who could well be starter Ondrej Pavelec’s backup. Budaj would also be better qualified to be the organization’s third goalie, if Hutchinson, who is eight years younger, is chosen to stay in Winnipeg.

The Slovakia-born goalkeeper played 24 games for the Habs last season, posting a 2.51 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

Holland, a native of Lethbridge, Alta., was a 109-point player for the Tri-City Americans in 2011-12. He had six goals and 17 points for the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs in 57 games last season.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca