One man’s pain is another one’s gain. That saying rang true yesterday for a former Montreal Canadiens’ netminder. The Carolina Hurricanes are having goaltending issues these days. Not because they don’t have quality goaltending, but rather because once again, Frederic Anderson is injured for a significant period of time.
This time, Andersen is dealing with a knee injury which requires surgery and will keep him out of action for eight to 12 weeks. To make matters worst, Pyotr Kochetkov, who has been competing with the Dane for the role of number 1 also dealt with a concussion.
As a result, veteran Spencer Martin has been called up and played nine games, but his numbers aren’t very good. With a 3.89 goals-against average and a .846 save percentage, that’s not a sustainable solution.
Yesterday the Canes signed Dustin Tokarski to a one-year, two-way pact. The veteran is 35 years old and last played in the NHL during the 2022-23 season when he suited up in four games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He put together a 1-2-0 record with a 3.44 GAA and a .897 SP that year.
Tokarski was drafted 122nd overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2008 NHL draft and has only played a total of 80 regular season games in the NHL, picking up 23 wins and posting a 3.15 GAA with a .902 SP.
Canadiens fans will remember him as the man who came in for Carey Price after Chris Kreider ended his playoffs in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finale, being preferred to backup Peter Budaj. He played five games, winning two and losing three as the Habs were eliminated in six games by the New York Rangers. Those were the best moments of Tokarski’s career as he put together a 2.60 GAA and a .916 SP.
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