After Carey Price struggled with injuries last year, which was a major part of Montreal’s collapse, the Canadiens have added some insurance in net, signing veteran journeyman goalie Al Montoya to a one-year, $950k contract, as reported by TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie.
The 30-year-old played well in 25 appearances for the Florida Panthers last year, posting a 12-7-3 record with a 2.18 GAA and a .919 SV% playing behind Roberto Luongo.
The signing creates a bit of a logjam between the pipes for the Habs, as they are returning both goalies from last season in Price and Mike Condon. At this stage, it would appear that Montoya has the inside track at the backup spot for Price.
Montoya has played in parts of seven NHL seasons with the Coyotes, Islanders, Jets, and Panthers. In 136 games, he has posted a 55-40-18 record with a 2.59 GAA, a .909 SV%, and five shutouts.