Budaj Budaj Budaj Rockin’ In Tampa

By Phil Wunderlich

Peter Budaj was unofficially signed to a 2-year deal today, the deal has a cap hit of 1.025M over the two seasons. However, due to the roster freeze can not be completed as of yet. Budaj played well for the seven games in total that he had played with the Bolts only allowing 13 goals (2.80 GAA). The 34-year-old Slovakian goaltender before coming to Tampa was shuffled around a bit after being drafted back in 2001 by the Colorado Avalanche, so it is good to see a solid backup to settle down here in Tampa. He and his family love it in Tampa Bay as well speaking as if he was not shopping outside of the organization due to the love between teammates as well as the city.

Budaj had come to Tampa Bay just before the trade deadline back in February as part of a trade for long time Lightning goaltender, Ben Bishop. This past season with the Los Angeles was his greatest of all as he appeared in 53 games with the Kings while posting a 27-20-3 record with a 2.12 goals-against average, which at the time it was third in the NHL as well as a .917 save percentage and seven shutouts, which at the time was tied for the league-lead.

With this information do you think that the Lightning made the right choice by re-signing Budaj as their backup goalie?

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June 19th, 2017