Islanders obtain goalie Montoya for a pick
[object Object] Credit: AP goalie Al Montoya makes a stop against he Los Angeles Kings during the second period of an NHL preseason hockey game. (Sept. 23, 2010)
MONTREAL - In the wake of yet another costly goaltending loss, the Islanders Wednesday acquired minor-league goaltender Al Montoya from Phoenix in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year's draft.
The trade came less than a day after the beleaguered Islanders lost 20-year-old rookie Kevin Poulin for the rest of the season. Poulin dislocated his left knee cap in a freakish accident during warmups Tuesday night before the team's 5-3 loss to Toronto, an injury that requires surgery.
Only 25¢ for 5 months
MONTREAL - In the wake of yet another costly goaltending loss, the Islanders Wednesday acquired minor-league goaltender Al Montoya from Phoenix in exchange for a sixth-round pick in this year's draft.
The trade came less than a day after the beleaguered Islanders lost 20-year-old rookie Kevin Poulin for the rest of the season. Poulin dislocated his left knee cap in a freakish accident during warmups Tuesday night before the team's 5-3 loss to Toronto, an injury that requires surgery.
Montoya, the Rangers' No. 1 pick in the 2004 draft, is 11-8-0 in 21 games for the American Hockey League's San Antonio Rampage with a 3.19 goals- against average and a .891 save percentage. The 25-year-old is headed to Bridgeport but will likely be called up once the Islanders return from Montreal.
The Islanders have gone through four goaltenders since the start of January, when they traded veteran netminder Dwayne Roloson to Tampa Bay.
In addition to Poulin, both Rick DiPietro and Nathan Lawson have been sidelined with injuries. DiPietro was placed on injured reserve with facial fractures and knee swelling after getting into a fight with Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson last week. Lawson is recovering from an MCL strain in his left knee suffered Jan. 21 against Buffalo.
The Islanders now have rookies Mikko Koskinen and Joel Martin as their goaltending duo.
Although bigger names could have been available in a trade - Mike Smith, Michael Leighton, Jonas Gustavsson - general manager Garth Snow likely went with Montoya because the price was right and Lawson is expected back soon.