As the Edmonton Oilers were trying to put an end to their four-game losing streak Thursday night, the team announced it had acquired some help in the crease via a trade with the Montreal Canadiens.
The Oilers picked up veteran goaltender Al Montoya from the Habs in exchange for a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2018.
The 32-year-old netminder has a 65-47-22 record combined with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage in 159 career National Hockey League games with the Canadiens, Panthers, Jets, Islanders and Coyotes.
Get daily National news
The Chicago native was a first-round draft pick for the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
In the few games he’s played with the Habs this season, Montoya’s numbers are well below normal by his standards. Despite earning two wins in four games played, Montoya is sporting a 3.77 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage.
READ MORE: Habs sign goaltender Al Montoya to two-year contract extension
Last January, the Canadiens signed Montoya to a two-year contract extension worth a reported annual average value of US$1.065 million. He first joined the Canadiens as a free agent on July 1, 2016.
Before the new year, the Oilers’ goaltending depth was tested when starter Cam Talbot missed six games due to injury. Backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit posted a 3-3 record in Talbot’s absence at the time.
READ MORE: Cam Talbot activated by Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers were playing Pacific Division rivals the Anaheim Ducks at Rogers Place on Thursday night when the team announced the trade on Twitter.
READ MORE: Edmonton Oilers meet Ducks for 1st time since playoff battle
-With a file from The Canadian Press
Watch below: Some videos from Global News’ coverage of the Edmonton Oilers during the 2017-18 season.
-
![]()
Oscar Klefbom expected to return to Oilers lineup on Friday -
![]()
Oilers win streak generates optimism -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers serve meals for Hope Mission -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers prepare to play divisional opponents from San Jose -
![]()
Oilers look to return to winning ways on road trip -
![]()
Oilers’ Eric Gryba gets grilling with Global News -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers still looking to solve early season struggles -
![]()
New Oiler is first Australian to play in NHL -
![]()
Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot out with injury -
![]()
What happened to the chemistry of the Edmonton Oilers team? -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers GM speaks about inconsistency of special teams -
![]()
‘We are very disappointed’ to be in 28th place, says Oilers GM -
![]()
How do the Edmonton Oilers handle swings from good games to bad? -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers GM speaks to performance of Puljujarvi, Slepyshev, Caggiula -
![]()
Edmonton Oilers GM weighs in on how to fix issues facing team
Comments