Al Montoya: Why Never a Starter?

[Jets4Life]

Al Montoya started his pro career with great expectations, being a first round pick with the Ranger in 2004. It took him several years to make it to the NHL, and his career numbers are really not that bad. He has had several good seasons as a backup, but never was given the starting role.

When the Winnipeg Jets acquired Montoya as the backup to Pavelec, his numbers were far superior. Unfortunately for whatever reason, he was always relegated as Pavelec's backup. In 2013-14, he posted a 13-8-3 record and a 0.920% with the Jets, while Pavelec was an unimpressive 22-26-7, 0.902%. It seems wherever Montoya ends up, he is always second string.

I'm just surprised the Jets and Islanders did not give him a shot at the #1 spot. I know playing behind Carey Price or Roberto Luongo, this would be unrealistic. Was there any reason for the Islander or especially the Jets not giving Montoya a shot at the starting goalie slot?

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[Menzinger]

Because he's not very good?

 

[Jets4Life]

Because he's not very good?

He's certainly better than Pavelec, and was better than DiPietro on Long Island.

 

[isles55]

He's certainly better than Pavelec, and was better than DiPietro on Long Island.

He also played more than DiPietro.

 

[isles55]

He joined the Islanders mid-way in his 1st season, and played well.

His first full season(2nd season in total) wasn't good, which is why he didn't get the starting role.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Some goalies just can not play the amount of games needed to be a starter

 

[Habs76]

He's only the third best goalie in the Habs org. and we still have McNiven (OHL goalie of the year) behind him. No clue why he got an extension, and he sure isn't a starter.

 

[Nocashstyle]

He's certainly better than Pavelec, and was better than DiPietro on Long Island.

Huh?

 

[TCIH]

He's only the third best goalie in the Habs org. and we still have McNiven (OHL goalie of the year) behind him. No clue why he got an extension, and he sure isn't a starter.

I believe it's because Montreal needed a goalie to expose in the expansion draft.

 

[FLYLine27*]

Because he's not very good?

 

[SnoopDogg]

He's awful, I'm surprised he was in the NHL last year

 

[Jets4Life]

He's awful, I'm surprised he was in the NHL last year

He was great with the Jets.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

Huh?

DP was done at that point, his injuries made him barely backup level. His last great game in my opinion was when he stonewalled the Penguins to stop Crosby's 25 game point streak.

I remember at that point the fans, including myself, really turned on DP to the point that we in the stands chanted Al Montoya's name during a game vs the Caps. It was embarrassing for DP for sure and I believe the Isles players rallied around him to either comeback and win or make it close I forget. EDIT: It was in 2011, Isles were down 2-0 after the first and won 5-3. Then there was the game he just sucked vs the Canes that featured a very loud DP sucks chant.

Rick is one of the best guys IMO to come around the Island in the 2000's as far as loving LI and the Islanders, joined MSG as an analyst and is terrific in it still covering the Islanders and looking back it was a mean thing but a necessary one as he was just plain done.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

He was great with the Jets.

He played 35 games with a .909 save % and a 2.60 GAA. That's great?

 

[Brunomics]

He joined the Islanders mid-way in his 1st season, and played well.

His first full season(2nd season in total) wasn't good, which is why he didn't get the starting role.

He started off playing incredibly well his second season. Then got a concussion and his play suffered the rest of the year because of it.

 

[GoJetsGo55]

He played 35 games with a .909 save % and a 2.60 GAA. That's great?

We don't know what great goaltending is

 

[VoynovsParoleOfficer]

Rick is one of the best guys IMO to come around the Island in the 2000's as far as loving LI and the Islanders, joined MSG as an analyst and is terrific in it still covering the Islanders and looking back it was a mean thing but a necessary one as he was just plain done.[/QUOTE]

Agreed, he is a joy to listen to on the radio as well..funny and very knowledgeable and just generally really good at what he does now i am glad he found a niche in hockey after the injuries

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

We don't know what great goaltending is

Fair enough. I stand corrected.

 

[Burke the Legend]

He just isn't one of the top 30 goalies in the world. Nothing wrong with that, it's not easy to do. He is still top 60 just by being in the NHL.

 

[Nocashstyle]

DP was done at that point, his injuries made him barely backup level. His last great game in my opinion was when he stonewalled the Penguins to stop Crosby's 25 game point streak.

I remember at that point the fans, including myself, really turned on DP to the point that we in the stands chanted Al Montoya's name during a game vs the Caps. It was embarrassing for DP for sure and I believe the Isles players rallied around him to either comeback and win or make it close I forget. EDIT: It was in 2011, Isles were down 2-0 after the first and won 5-3. Then there was the game he just sucked vs the Canes that featured a very loud DP sucks chant.

Rick is one of the best guys IMO to come around the Island in the 2000's as far as loving LI and the Islanders, joined MSG as an analyst and is terrific in it still covering the Islanders and looking back it was a mean thing but a necessary one as he was just plain done.

Ohh oops, I totally forgot Montoya was even on the Islanders. I just thought he was saying Montoya was a better goalie than DP in general throughout their careers

 

[Stjonnypopo]

Great backup goalie.

Teams with 1A and 1B goalies have a hard time moving forward, but when you have a clearcut #1 and #2 goalie, with the backup who knows his role, then you're in the clear. Montoya is a #2 who knows he's a #2.

 

[Man Bear Pig]

He played 35 games with a .909 save % and a 2.60 GAA. That's great?

I'm assuming that's primarily against lesser competition than the #1 goalie too?

 

[Le Magnifique 66]

He is a solid backup goalie that's why. He doesn't have what it takes to play 60+ games

 

[Seanaconda]

He played 35 games with a .909 save % and a 2.60 GAA. That's great?

What year was that ? It could be decent if it was long enough ago.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

What year was that ? It could be decent if it was long enough ago.

That was his tenure in Winnipeg.