Jets acquire goalie in trade, reduce roster

WINNIPEG – What started as a minor weekend project for the Winnipeg Jets turned into a full blown renovation.

The Jets acquired goalie Peter Budaj and forward Patrick Holland from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Eric Tangradi.

Budaj has been the Canadiens backup the last four seasons. The 32-year-old has a career 2.76 goals against average, .903 save percentage and 11 shutouts in 296 games spread over ten seasons. Budaj is entering the final year of his contract which will pay him $1.4-million.

Montreal dealt Budaj after deciding to keep Dustin Tokarski as Carey Price’s backup. The trade leaves the Jets with three goalies just a few days before the regular season starts. Budaj is expected to leapfrog Michael Hutchinson as the team’s number two goaltender behind starter Ondrej Pavelec. Hutchinson will need to clear waivers if the Jets want to send him to the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps.

Holland has played just five NHL games in his career and has yet to record a point. The 22-year-old spent most of last season with Montreal’s AHL farm team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he scored six goals and 11 assists in 57 games. Holland was immediately sent to the IceCaps.

The Jets also cut six players Sunday from their training camp roster including their first round picks from the last two drafts. Heading back to their major junior teams are Nik Ehlers (Halifax – QMJHL), Josh Morrissey (Prince Albert – WHL) and Nic Petan (Portland – WHL). Ben Chiarot and Keaton Ellerby will join Holland in St. John’s. Both defencemen will have to clear waivers first. Goalie Danny Taylor was released from his professional tryout.

Today’s move leaves Winnipeg with 26 players on its roster. The team must get that number down to 23 by Tuesday afternoon.

The Jets play their season opener Thursday night in Arizona against the Coyotes.