Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Peter Budaj has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Los Angeles Kings, according to John Hoven.
The deal, according to Hoven, is worth $575,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 at the AHL level, with a $150,000 guarantee.
the 33-year-old netminder was given a tryout contract with the Kings during the preseason, but he didn’t earn a contract.
That looked to be the likely end of Budaj and Los Angeles’s brief love affair. But then the New York Islanders claimed goaltender J.F. Berube off waivers when the Kings tried to pass him to the AHL. (Largely because the Lightning claimed Kevin Poulin off waivers when the Islanders tried to pass him to the American League.)
Berube’s exit is particularly bitter with Patrik Bartosak injured.
That means signing someone — Budaj — was necessary and that Budaj steps into the organization as the third string goaltender. The over under on Budaj being the Kings’ third-string goaltender this season would have bought you a house.
RELATED: Kings Lose Two Calder Cup Champs Before Season Starts
