The former first-rounder has been summoned from Hartford, according to the AHL transactions list, raising the question of whether Henrik Lundqvist is healthy enough not only to play tonight against the Penguins, but to serve as backup to Steve Valiquette, if necessary.
It'll be an interesting call...
Montoya, 22, made 26 saves in a 2-1 Wolf Pack overtime win on Saturday. He is 8-5-2 this season, with a 2.48 GAA and a .908 save percentage and no shutouts.
More from the morning skate in a few hours....
Comments (11)
Good. It's about time we started to show him off.. I hope Henrik feels better, though.
Giving Montoya a game or two will test him at the NHL level.. there is no way he resigns at the end of the year, as I am sure he's sick of the AHL.
Pavel, I wouldn't be so sure Montoya will get the start tonight... it's entirely possible he's just here to back Valliquette up. Or that he's just here "in case" Lundqvist is still under the weather this morning.
As for re-signing at the end of the season, it's not like he has much choice. He'll be a restricted free agent; he can either re-sign with the Rangers or go play in Europe. Or he can hold out or demand a trade, which would be professional suicide for an injury-prone goalie with zero NHL experience who hasn't even lead the AHL in any significant statistical categories in his three years playing there.
Steve, do you have any idea how Montoya's bonuses are configured? Is any portion triggered as soon as he plays his first NHL game?
i agree laurie, i don't believe montoya will get a start. he'll be the back-up if henrik can't start. renney doesn't want to be stuck in another situation where valiquette just doesn't have it and is forced to suffer through 60 minutes.
as for the lines, i'm happy to see the top three. the fourth line better not get matched against crosby tonight. i cringe when crosby is on the ice against the likes of orr and hollweg. i know they have proved well against him since last spring, but that can't continue. hollweg's benching needs to continue and orr needs to sit on occassion against teams without legitimate tough guys. obviously orr will be needed tonight.
I wouldn't mind letting him play. I mean how much damage can he do. We have watched the last six games right?
Showcase him a bit, give him the chance to shine. I'd rather see him get the go then Valiquette tonight if Henrik can't.
If Lundy cant play i would like to see him but not against Crosby and the Penguins. I dont want to see annother 5-1 game. We still do need to win games.
I agree, I dont see the big deal in starting Montoya. It's not like Valiquette is good. I personally think he is not even an NHL caliber goalie. Might as well start the kid.
I agree w/ Up in the Blues and Busey, let's give Montoya a shot and let Lundqvist fully recover for the hectic stretch of games vs MIN, COL and OTT. Valiquette has shown his most value in shootouts and other than the 1st period in FLA, he's been below average. The Rangers need to get back to basics on the defense, ie. don't turnover the puck behind your own goal line! If they continue to play 'El Matador' D, it really doesn't matter who's in nets.
Honestly, I wouldn't mind seeing Montoya tonight because Pittsburgh has NO defense and NO good goalie. Montoya is coming off a good game in Hartford, yes I know he didn't face a Crosby, but as long as we shut them down like the last two times we played, we'll be fine. Sabourin? Conklin? HA!
Nothing like a little Rookie first time luck to change things for the better.
I'm sorry to see all the hard work in Nov being washed away with poor work in Dec.
Has anyone seen the schedule lately, it doesn't have anything on it saying when Jagr will be playing? Oh, he is playing. oh...
Well when is the team going to name a Captain? Oh, Jagr is the captain? For how long? oh, until he leaves... when's that?
Falling out of the top 8 before Christmas isn't going to make for a very nice new year either!
Recalling MONTOYA came a GAME TOO LATE! Good job SLATS!
Valiquette should have been pulled in the second period!!!
#5
Ulf is the greatest defenseman ever to play in the NHL.d
I wore #5 proudly all through my HS and College hockey years