When Al Montoya was traded to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin set in motion a plan that would clear the path for Charlie Lindgren to ascend to the role of backup goaltender by next season.
Congestion in the goaltending depth was a good problem for Marc Bergevin this year, with Carey Price firmly entrenched in the starting role, Montoya the incumbent backup, Lindgren the heir apparent, and Zachary Fucale and Michael McNiven fighting for playing time with the Laval Rocket in the AHL.