Observations:

March 2015 – Tokarski has seen limted action in his first full NHL campaign behind MVP candidate Carey Price. Tokarski has seen mixed results, starting the year hot and then seeing his save percentage trend down while only winning once in six tries since January 1^st. In his current role it is quite a reach to consider Tokarski in fantasy leagues. Eric Daoust

October 2014 – Petr Budaj has been traded to the Jets which makes Tokarski the Habs’ backup for the 2014-15 campaign. Eric Daoust

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June 2014 – Tokarski held his own against the New York Rangers in he Eastern Conference final, sporting a 2-3 record with a .916 save percentage. He has certainly made a case to be in the NHL next year. Eric Daoust

May 2014 – Tokarski won his first NHL playoff game, a 3-2 overtime decision over the New York Rangers in game three of the Eastern Conference Final. The fact that he was chosen to replace the injured Carey Price over current backup Petr Budaj bodes well for his future and increases the odds that he will land a spot in the NHL next season. Eric Daoust

March 2014 – Tokarski has enjoyed a very successful campaign, headlined by a brief stint with the Canadiens. With starter Carey Price out due to injury Tokarski earned a victory against the NHL-leading Ducks and later his first career shutout against Buffalo. While he may never get a chance to be a number-one goalie he has certainly pushed his NHL stock forward with his recent play. Eric Daoust

August 2013 – Tokarski signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Canadiens. Eric Daoust

May 2013 – Tokarski continued his strong play in Hamilton to finish the season. However, Canadiens’ backup goaltender Petr Budaj signed a two-year contract extension which nullifies Tokarski’s chances of earning the backup spot behind Carey Price in the fall. Eric Daoust

March 2013 – Tokarski has been a wall since arriving in Hamilton, posting a 4-3-0 record with a 1.42 GAA and a .953 save percentage. His play is certainly improving his chances of getting a look as the Canadiens’ backup goaltender next season. Eric Daoust

February 2013 – In a bit of a surprise, Tokarski was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for fellow goalie prospect Cedric Desjardins. He will have an opportunity to backup starter Carey Price as soon as next year. Rich Dillon

October 2012 – This is a goaltender in a really good place right now. Last season he finished a strong season with a Calder Cup Championship, only losing two games in the playoffs and 13 losses in 59 AHL starts overall. Tokarski once again proved his real value as a clutch goalie in the spring. Having the experience of 59 playoff games between the American Hockey League and Western Hockey League, his average GAA is 1.68 with a save percentage of .938 while gathering eight shutouts. At the end of last season it looked like Tampa was going to be content with a tandem of Tokarski-Garon but in June the Lightning hooked Anders Lindback from Nashville in a move that is likely to delay Tokarski’s ascent. It should relieve pressure on Dustin to carry an NHL team early in his career. His size is below average by an inch or two but a good compete level and intelligent positioning make up for lack of size. Watching him in the Calder Cup playoffs gave me visions of many of the goaltenders in the early-mid 90’s as he worked hard just to stop pucks and let the defense clear the rest. Tokarski’s current career trophy case now includes: a Memorial Cup Championship, World Junior Championship Gold Medal, Calder Cup Championship and a CHL Memorial Cup MVP trophy.

Fantasy Outlook: B-

Tokarski’s ceiling looks to be an above average starter that should post good numbers across the board and especially valuable in the post season. However, opportunity is a concern with Carey Price at the top of the organization and Petr Budaj signed for two more years.

Footage: A save everyone in North America remembers.

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