Allan Muir at SI.com, answers a Rangers fans question on that subject...I read what you said about Al Montoya possibly being moved as a result of the Henrik Lundqvist deal. What sort of return might he generate for the Rangers?-- Jack Classen, NYU
Right now, not much. All you have to do is look at recent goalie transactions and you realize that, despite their importance, netminders aren't exactly bringing a lot in trade these days. Ilya Bryzgalov's a perfect example. Here's a guy who carried the Ducks through two playoff series, and Brian Burke had to let him go for nothing on waivers because he couldn't find any takers.
Montoya's had his own success in the past, especially in leading Team USA to gold at the 2004 World Juniors. There some around the Rangers who believe he deserved to make the squad out of camp this season, but that his contract make Steve Valiquette a more palatable option.
But Montoya's struggles with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack this season will force any other GM to regard his value skeptically. So, at this point, he's basically a sweetener to any deal that the Rangers make. Or, and this may be more likely, he could be moved for another organization's tarnished hopeful, in the same vein as the Boston - St. Louis deal that saw goalie Hannu Toivonen shipped west for winger Carl Soderberg. That'd be a tough pill for the Rangers to swallow, but with the possibility of re-signing Miika Wikman, and incoming prospect Antoine Lafleur (the team's second-round pick last June), they'll have to make a decision soon regarding Montoya's once promising future.
...pretty sad that right now Montoya is nothing more than a sweetener to any deal. Thought he might be able to bring us something big in return on his own. To make matters worse Montoya sustained a grion injury during a Wolf Pack game last night. See here.
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