The Montreal Canadiens have sent veteran AHL netminder Cedrick Desjardins to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for 23 year old goaltending prospect Dustin Tokarski.
Desjardins had been struggling for the Bulldogs this season, battling for starts with Robert Mayer, who some would say has outplayed him.
The move seems to be a solid one for the Canadiens, who have been without a legitimate goaltending prospect since Jaroslav Halak was traded for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz in the summer of 2010.
Tokarski is by no means an amazing prospect, but at 23 he has a World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal, a Memorial Cup, and a Calder Cup to his name. The acquisition of Tokarski, 4 years Desjardins’ junior, addresses an organizational need that many were worried about. The trade may also hint that the Canadiens will be going in a new direction for the backup job on the big club next season. Tokarski will likely get a shot to back up Carey Price, which will be cheaper than buying a veteran backup on the free agent market.
Official Press Release:
MONTRÉAL – Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin announced Thursday the acquisition of goaltender Dustin Tokarski from the Tampa Bay Lightning, in return for goaltender Cédrick Desjardins.
Tokarski, 23, played 33 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) since the start of the 2012-13 season posting a record of 18 wins, 8 losses and 4 overtime losses along with a 2.46 goals against average and .900 save percentage.
A native of Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Tokarski had been part of the Tampa Bay organization since he was drafted in the fifth round, 122nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. A product of the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs, Tokarski suited up for the Lightning’s AHL affiliate team in Norfolk from 2009 through 2012, minding the net in 146 games and posting a 80-56-7 record along with a 2.33 GAA. He won the Calder Cup with Norfolk in 2011-12.
The 5’11”, 198 lbs netminder played 7 games at the NHL level, all with the Tampa Bay Lightning, earning 1 win, 3 losses and 1 overtime loss.
Desjardins had been a member of the Montreal Canadiens organization from 2006 to 2010 before returning to the Canadiens on July 1, 2012 as a free agent. In 2012-13 with the club’s affiliate in Hamilton, Desjardins had a record of 7 wins, 13 losses and 2 overtime losses with a 2.94 goals against average.
