WINNIPEG – Just a day after acquiring Peter Budaj, the Winnipeg Jets have placed the goalie on waivers.
Budaj was picked up Sunday in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens for forward Eric Tangradi. The Jets also received forward Patrick Holland in the deal. The 22-year-old was immediately sent down to the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps.
If Budaj clears waivers, he’ll join Holland in St. John’s. 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.
The move means the Jets will start the season with Michael Hutchinson backing up Ondrej Pavelec in goal.
“Mike has earned the opportunity to develop here,” said Jets head coach Paul Maurice. “If that means he stays and flourishes here, then good for us. There’s no crystal ball in anything we do with the development. Mike has earned that right but having some depth in the goaltender position is always something as a coach you like.”
The Jets returned to practice Monday morning after wrapping up their pre-season over the weekend. Every player was on the ice except Patrice Cormier, who is still out with an injury.
Winnipeg has to trim its roster by two more names by Tuesday afternoon. The Jets play their season opener Thursday night in Arizona against the Coyotes.
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