When the Montreal Canadiens acquired forward Eric Tangradi earlier this season, in a trade for goaltender Peter Budaj and prospect Patrick Holland, most analysts saw it as a simple salary cap move. The Habs were moving a superfluous goalttender in Budaj, while taking in the much lower paid Tangradi in order to save some money on the cap. Most believed that Tangradi wasn’t in the Habs long-term plans.
That thinking seemed to be confirmed when Tangradi was assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs immediately following the trade, with no opportunity to even try out for the NHL club. In fact, Tangradi played his first game for the Bulldogs (an exhibition game) just hours after the trade. Considered an unneeded forward by the Winnipeg Jets, Tangradi had been assigned to their AHL affiliate, the St. John’s Ice Caps earlier that week. It just so happened that the Ice Caps were facing the Bulldogs that day, and so the only transportation needed to play for the Bulldogs was a simple walk down an arena hallway.
In any event, the Habs had 14 forwards already on the NHL roster, and so the move for Tangradi appeared inconsequential to the NHL club at the time. However, recent moves including the trades of Travis Moen, Rene Bourque and the injury to Michael Bournival, left the Canadiens looking to their farm club for another forward to fill out the lineup. Unfortunately for Tangradi he was injured when Drayson Bowman got the call-up, and so was not a candidate.
Now the 25-year-old, who has 136 games of NHL experience, is back, healthy and in the Bulldogs lineup. With the Canadiens carrying just 12 forwards today, many have speculated that another forward call-up is coming. While this has not been confirmed yet, Tangradi is doing all he can at the AHL level (six points in 10 games) to show that he deserves a call-up and should get another chance in the show.
Tangradi knows that his biggest asset is his size as he is listed at 6’4″ and 221 pounds on Hockeydb.com. He is putting that size to good use in Hamilton, being effective on the forecheck, protecting the puck in the cycle game, and going hard to the front of the net. Last night, it was Tangradi’s screen of Marlies goaltender Christopher Gibson that was a key play in allowing Charles Hudon’s point shot to find the back of the net and tie the game for the Bulldogs in the third period. (Note: The Dogs would win 2-1 in OT). He would also take a goalie interference penalty later in the period when he inadvertently bumped into Gibson as he was trying to set up a screen on another Dogs’ powerplay. The Bulldogs powerplay has seen some major struggles this season, but has started to look more dangerous in the past week, and has scored in each of the team’s last two games. Tangradi’s presence at the top of the crease has been a factor in the recent turnaround of the powerplay.
Following last night’s game I had the chance to catch up with Eric Tangradi and he spoke about the game, his time in Hamilton, and his attempts to make it back to the NHL.
Eric Tangradi on last night’s big win over the Bulldogs’ biggest rival, the Toronto Marlies
“That was the best sound effort from all 20 guys going that we’ve had all year. We were in and out of the zones with poise, and the chemistry was there with all four lines and the D pairs. I think if we were able to stay out of the box, we could maybe generate some more chances. Overall it was a good game and we need to continue it on Sunday. “
On the Dogs Penalty Issues this season
“We have a lot of energetic guys, and we need to find that fine line between being physical and staying within the whistles. Its still early, and the practice for our penalty kill can’t hurt, but we are looking to clean that up. We know that when we can roll our four lines, and can get that five-on-five game going, we are a tough team to beat.”
On his health
“I’m back to 100%, outside of this nasty slump I’m going through. I feel like my body is feeling pretty good. I’m hoping to pot one here soon, and get the ball rolling for myself.”
On finding chemistry as he’s now playing on a new line with the Bulldogs top two scorers in Charles Hudon and T.J. Hensick
“I think we all offer something different. My game, no matter where I play in the lineup, is going to be a pretty north-south game and focused on getting to the net. I know those guys have a lot of skill and speed, so I’m just trying to retrieve pucks and get them to the skilled guys. They were able to find me for some opportunities. Its early on, and step one for this line in terms of chemistry, and we need to keep it going for Sunday.”
On working for his shot at the NHL
“I feel like I still have a lot of game in me, and can be a regular in the NHL. You can say all the right things in the media but it comes down to how you perform on the ice. I’m just trying to get better, and be a power forward out there. Some games that might not be getting three or four points, but it might mean blocking shots and getting some hits. I’m out there trying to keep things simple, and if I open a few eyes that would be great.”
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