Panthers coach Gerard Gallant wouldn't call Montoya the odds-on favorite to claim the top backup goalie job behind Roberto Luongo, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

Panthers coach Gerard Gallant wouldn't call Montoya the odds-on favorite to claim the top backup goalie job behind Roberto Luongo, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis:

After posting a 13-8-3 record, 2.30 GAA and .920 save percentage over 28 appearances with the Jets in 2013-14, Montoya inked a two-year contract with the Panthers in the July, a pact that was thought to give the inside track on the No. 2 job. While that could still very well be the case, the Panthers do still have another veteran backup in Dan Ellis on their roster, who won't simply be phased out by the team. Look for Gallant to give a roughly even amount of playing time to both Montoya and Ellis during the preseason, with their performance in those contests likely weighing heavily into who comes away with the backup gig.