HABS TAKE A CHANCE ON TANGRADI
The Montreal Canadiens acquired winger Eric Tangradi from the Winnipeg Jets for goaltender Peter Budaj and winger Patrick Holland.
What does it give the Montreal Canadiens
Tangradi hasn't lived up to offensive expectations so far in his NHL career, but he's still fairly young for a big forward (and big guys often take awhile longer to develop than smaller players). Tangradi has shown an ability to score well at the junior and AHL levels, so this is a reasonable risk for Montreal (with the obvious hope he can be a late bloomer). The Habs additionally save over $1 million in salary here by moving the contracts of Budaj and Holland, and clarify their goaltending situation even more than in the playoffs (when {P Dustin Tokarski} supplanted Budaj as {P Carey Price}'s top backup).
What does it give the Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are taking on salary here, so they obviously want proven backup Budaj to step in and serve as insurance (and possibly mentor) to talented-but-erratic starting netminder {P Ondrej Pavelec}. Still, it's a somewhat curious move since Winnipeg already has a gifted backup in {P Michael Hutchinson} (and Hutchinson may be lost if he hits waivers, which will be necessary if he's sent down). Meanwhile, Holland serves as organizational depth up front. He has some offensive skill and may be a minor steal if he can get off to a good start in the AHL. Budaj's contract comes off the books at the end of this season.
Fantasy impact
Tangradi gets a fresh start after not panning out with Winnipeg, but until he starts living up to his offensive potential in the NHL he's not much of a fantasy investment. That said, the change of scenery gives him a bit of a deep sleeper boost. Keep Holland on the deep sleeper radar as well, but don't expect much anytime soon. Budaj has more appeal now that he's with the Jets (since he wasn't going to push {P Carey Price} in Montreal, but may push Pavelec). Hutchinson is a fantasy loser in this deal, since he becomes the odd man out of the Winnipeg goalie rotation.
