Montreal Canadiens: A step closer to an upgrade at the Entry Draft
By Omar L
The Montreal Canadiens are just one more Al Montoya start with the Edmonton Oilers away from having their fifth-round pick this year jump to a fourth.
Many Montreal Canadiens fans thought last night was the game they were waiting for. Al Montoya‘s play and more specifically his start count, with the Edmonton Oilers have been put underneath a microscope ever since the conditions on the trade were revealed a little after the trade. If the 33-year-old starts seven games for the Oilers, the fifth-round pick in this year’s draft is bumped up to the fourth-round.
Edmonton had an entertaining game last night taking on the San Jose Sharks, which, evidently enough, was Montoya’s seventh start with the team. However, the Habs won’t be getting the pick upgrade just yet. Although it was the veteran goaltender’s seventh start with the team, the conditions were still not met.
The Athletic‘s Arpon Basu tweeted out a key detail in this draft pick upgrade scenario. For the starts to count, Montoya needs to have played at least 30 minutes in the game. Taking a look at his game logs with the Oilers, he’s seen that amount of time in all games except one. Montoya only played 28:21 against the Buffalo Sabres back in January going in relief of Cam Talbot who had allowed four goals.
More from Habs News
- Montreal Canadiens: Biggest Questions Going Into 2023-24
- Montreal Canadiens: Quentin Miller’s Poise And Confidence Fuel His Game
- Montreal Canadiens: Laval Rocket Top Defence Pair Could Be Set
- Montreal Canadiens: Worst Move Of The Pierre Gauthier Era
- Montreal Canadiens: Could Casey DeSmith End Up In Colorado?
With 12 games left in the regular season, Montoya will definitely get that seventh 30+ minute start. The Oilers could choose to run Talbot in the net for the remainder of the year as there’s nothing coming over that final April 7th date, but that wouldn’t be ideal. The conditions will be met sooner or later, and once that happens, it’s another pick the Habs will have to work with at the draft.
Morning Links
Rocket – Marlies: Veilleux Returns to the Lineup, Toronto Blanks Laval
The Laval Rocket’s penalty kill was on a tear, but they couldn’t manage the Toronto Marlies’ offence and goaltending losing back to back games against them this time 4-0.
Canadiens in dire need of a ‘Shanaplan’, not a ‘reset’
The Toronto Maple Leafs have done a lot of good things since Brendan Shanahan made the call for the rebuild in 2015. Perhaps instead of a one or two-year rebuild like many believe the Montreal Canadiens could afford, a similar fate is what the organization needs.
It’s hard not to miss Alexander Radulov in a Canadiens uniform
Montreal came out with the win against the Dallas Stars, but it was still a reminder of what the team had and couldn’t hold on to in Alexander Radulov.
When will Montoya get his seventh start? Let us know in the comments below.