While the NHL’s only game on Super Bowl Sunday might have been one too many for Cristobal Huet's liking, it was one too few for Jaroslav Halak.
With the Habs up 3-0 over the visiting Rangers, Huet allowed 5-straight goals over the final 37 minutes of play. The goals were not entirely his fault as the Rangers managed to use their muscle and their hustle to completely dominate a weary Montreal team. The Habs got off to a great start thanks to a sizzling powerplay that went 3-for-5, but they were unable to cope with the bruisin’ Blueshirts during 5-on-5 play.
Midway through the second period, after Brandon Dubinksy cut the Habs’ lead to one - 24 seconds after Michal Rozsival had broken the ice for New York – Jaroslav Halak took a quick glance in the direction of his coach. The back-up netminder, who very nearly saved Montreal’s season last year, has not had the chance to start a game in the NHL this year. And it looks like he might not get that opportunity.
Less than a month after getting the call to come up to Montreal, Halak is heading back down to Hamilton.
It will be interesting to see how the young Slovakian netminder handles this latest setback. Disappointed with being assigned to Hamilton straight out of training camp, Halak quickly regained his form after a slow start to the season; he posted a 9-7-2 record with a 2.26 GAA and a 0.922 save percentage before being called up to Montreal.
The 22-year old is a restricted free agent at the end of the season and it was earlier rumoured that he was thinking of playing in Russia if he did not see quality ice-time. While it is extremely unlikely that another NHL team will send Halak an offer sheet during the off-season, it is a real possibility that he could decide to sign a lucrative contract with a Russian team, in the same way that Alexander Perezhogin jumped ship after last season and signed with Russian Super League team Salavat Yulaev. Perezhogin’s salary jumped from $627 000 with the Habs to nearly $1.8 million.
The Canadiens’ organization obviously has tremendous faith that Carey Price has the potential to become a franchise goaltender. The only reason that Halak was even called up to Montreal was so that Price could log heavy minutes down in Hamilton. While Price’s development is important for the Canadiens, they should be careful not to alienate their other assets.
Yann Danis, who broke into both the AHL and the NHL with shutouts, now finds himself assigned to back-up duties for the Bulldogs. The 27-year old Lafontaine, Quebec native becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and will most certainly end his relationship with the Habs and look for opportunities elsewhere.
While Huet’s position right now as the Habs’ number one goaltender is unquestionable, he may not see much of a future in Montreal if Carey Price is stealing away starts down the stretch. The French goalie has done a good job of answering the critics who have questioned his ability to be a reliable netminder in this league. Last year he was named to the Eastern All-Star team, the previous year he led the league with the best save percentage (0.929), and last month he was the NHL’s Third Star, posting an 8-2-1 record, a 2.40 GAA, and notching one shutout. Huet has great skill, an uncanny calmness, and is a great team player. If he remains unsigned by July 1, he may be one of the hottest item’s in this year’s free agent market.
Imagine this worst case scenario:
As an unrestricted free agent, Huet signs long-term contract with another NHL team.
Jaroslav Halak, disappointed with his ice-time, bolts for Russia.
Yann Danis signs a one-year deal with a club willing to take a chance on him.
That leaves Carey Price as an untested number one puck-stopper and maybe Cedrick Desjardins as a backup? Not the most inspiring of situations – and that’s not even mentioning the fact that those 3 players could leave without the Habs getting any form of compensation.
The next few weeks will be telling as we’ll see how Halak reacts to being snubbed in Montreal, how Price fairs with the big boys again,and how Huet deals with the pressures of being the go-to netminder on a team hoping to capture the top spot in the East.
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I hope Danis gets out of here and makes a name for himself. I feel bad for Halak, who I really like, but its even worse for Danis. And I agree, the Canadiens organization seems to be putting a lot (too much?) faith in Monsieur Price. We shall see what we shall see.
Ex nihilo nihil fit
I'm guessing this ghost's next post will come after the Leafs game?
Chris,
Interesting scenarios.
Goalies, like all professional athletes only want to play in the big league, they have sacrificed everything and spent their entire careers getting there. Halak like so many other second-third line netminders have the same insane desire to win cup rings, and make as much do-re-mi as possible, before they are relegated to old timer Viagra beer league status.
I couldn't find the average number of seasons played for a #1 backstopper in the NHL, but if I were Halak,
I'd get my agent to move me to a starting spot, somewhere, anywhere, before I needed little blue pills and Attends.
Just a thought.
Koivu has been benched next game, hope he gets the message.
Sorry, I thought I was the coach for just a min.
To me the only goalies worth talking about are Huet and Halak (Price isnt going anywhere even if he tanks this year). One of them arent going to be with the Habs next year. IMO Huet should be the one traded, I have said it many times, Huet is a decent goalie but you cant rely on him for long stretches, and thats what the playoffs are, a very long stretch of games.
I am not saying Price or Halak are capable, they might be, they might not be. But if Huet cant play consistently for long stretches of time why let him walk at the end of the season for nothing? Many teams will take him as they believe him to be a #1 goalie, so trade him at the deadline for what we need, a top 1st or 2nd line center and some size (of course package ryder with him)
I dont think there is a chance in hell that Price will be traded if he underperforms this year, at least not for a few years. When he was chosen instead of Kopitar, Gainey will not throw away Price until he has exhausted every chance to help Price shine. (Interesting article, old, but interesting http://wwwrealitycheckeyesontheprize.blogspot.com/2007/10/could-carey-pr...)
Danis is not even an option, he hasnt even been a regular starter in Hamilton so he is not going to be a candidate for either starter or back-up with the habs. He played 6 games in the NHL going 3-2.
So what you're saying is you'd be willing to get rid of the only goalie that has a proven record of winning and who is improving as the season heats up in order to take a risk on a couple of AHL goalies who've yet to show any consistency at an NHL level?
Now that's what I call taking a risk! Huet is a #1. He's playing consistently well and making some clutch saves like vs. Ottawa on Tuesday night on a Robitaille shot that had eyes for the back of the net. Why would you send a veteran tender to pack his bags only to drop a couple of rookies in the crease approaching playoff time when everything heats up? If the guy shows fatigue then use a backup for a game - that's what they're there for!
enjoying the high's of being a Habs fan
GM Bob has been juggling four balls all season and hasn't dropped one yet , though each ball could possibly be a regular in the NHL. You would think that he would drop one soon but you never know with Bob. About Halek and his pouting early in the season was justified , i guess , but after seeing what Ilya Bryzgalov signed for i'm sure now he'll have a little more patience down the road as Bryzgalov patience paid off and the Russian league may be a thing of the past for him , i hope. Good scenario , Chris.
I think they should play Price win or lose try him for 3 straight games and see if he has it for the NHL.If he fails send him back for the rest of the year,that way he will understand we have faith in him and if he plays well keep him up.
It looks like Huet will be getting the start tonight against the Sens. And unless he gets a 50-save shutout, I'm guessing that Price will play against the Leafs (why else the call-up?).
My question is:
If Price does in fact play Thursday and has a poor outing (say 4 or 5 goals against, a save percentage below .900) what should the Habs do? Should Price be shipped back down again? Do you give him another chance right away? Do you let him sit a few games and then give him another start?
I think that if Price wins or is stellar in his first start, then nobody will second guess the switch with Halak. If Price lets in a few softies and loses, however, I think their will be a lot of (justifiable) second-guessing about the move.
Truth be told I don't like the idea of Price being called back up. I think he should have stayed in Hamilton and give Halak a few looks. Price has the talent, but he was also playing for the Tri-Cities Americans last year. The boys should take their time and let the kid develop. It worked for half the current roster that has come up through the system, and it should work well for Price. Leaving him sitting on the bench is not gonna make a future #1 goalie.
Oh come on Chris, One game? Are you a bandwagon fan? :P
Good observation, but I think we all know that one game does not a great goalie make! Price may have an amazing outing on Thursday (if in fact he gets the call), but it's the stringing together of W's that brings out self-confidence and the confidence of team mates and lastly fans.
Personally, I don't see this kid being ready for the pressure and talent level of the NHL for at least another 2 years. He's young and full of potential. But, goalies are like kites: if they catch the right wind at the right time they soar, but they can just as easily nose-dive and crash. Timing is the key and management pulls the strings: finding the right moment to enable Price to soar will not be an easy task with so many variables in play. Developing young goalies is a complicated affair.
My suggestion (previously posted) was to offer Huet a 2-3 year contract. Play as #1 in year 1, then ease up and slowly allow Price to take the reigns over the following season(s) - giving Price 25-30 games the first season or two then in the last year of Huet's contract play minimum of 50 games. Just a thought, again with many variables like progress and performance over that period...
enjoying the high's of being a Habs fan
RH - Further to your last message. Other lesser light goalies that will be UFAs this summer are: Holmquist, Toivonen, Hedberg, Thibault, Grahame, Lalime, Aubin, Ellis, Valiquette, Dobbie, Conklin, and Hasek. (not saying Hasek is a lesser light, it's just that I wouldn't see him going anywhere else besides Detroit).
The Original 24 Cups
Thanks.
so part of the worst case scenario, we pick up any one of those goalies but i dont see gainey letting all 3 other tenders walk out
Chris,
I just noticed that my posts were removed from this blog.
Did I offend anyone by suggesting that your blog deserves to be more visible?
Or was it a victim of a mishap.
One would hope it was the latter rather than the former.
Either way I'm curious to find out.
Zamboni:
The loss of your posts must have been a glitch of some sort... sorry about that. I did see the comments before they disappeared though, and they were much appreciated!
That's what I thought.
Thanks for the update Chris.
z
I would deal Price in the near future for a raft of draft picks and proven talent and then ride Huet and Halak for the next 5 seasons while grooming Desjardins in Hamilton. I would be more content with realized rather than potential talent. The question is: Will Price be the next Roy or Penney? If the latter, then what?
Bryzgalov. Waived by the Ducks and not 1 team took him until they recalled him. The goalie market price has dropped big time.
Gilbert
dipietro is 26...he was a first overall draft pick and only started playing amazing last year...
marc-andre fleury is also also a first overall pick and is 23...he still sucks
cam ward 23, still inconsistent and seems like his cup form has eluded him.
kari lehtnonen 24, a second overall pick, he's been the quickest to develop as he has a svpct over .912 career-wise, not to mention playing on a perenially poor atlanta defence.
Roberto Luongo 4th overall pick and started in the league at a tender age of 21 and has dominated ever since
if that's any indication on how long it takes a goalie to develop...it'll be a while before we see price at the peak of his game...unless he's like a certain mr. luongo.
If Price doesn't start showing signs of brilliance almost immediately, I'm not sure it would be that easy for you to convince a GM to give up the barn for him. However, if he comes out and instantly steaks his claim to the #1 job in net, why would you trade him? Wouldn't he become a proven talent?
i have my reserved doubts over this whole ordeal. It's quite possible BG is losing sleep over this situation, or he's hell-bent carey price will pan out as the Brodeur of the future. And if he's not? and if he's Jose Theodore? BG will be out of the door so fast. BG's life as the Habs GM has all of a sudden come down to Carey Price's ability to win games, and it's something I don't think he should have done to himself. This all goes back to the beginning of the season where Carbo wanted Halak but BG wanted Price.
The sad truth is that there are plenty of teams out there that are wishing they had 4 capable goaltenders in their system, but we're giving ourselves headaches in our desire to win, yet develop goaltenders appropriately. There is no sense of how Halak has developed because he doesn't play. As I said before, trade the poor-kids career over to a team that can use him.
Alex Semin for Jaroslva Halak + Ryder + 2nd rounder? Think they'd bite? Olie the Goalie is at the end of his career.
Nah man, I don't think it's that dramatic. BG's career as Habs GM depends on how Habs perform and how they progress from being the bottom feeders in the past few year to a team that can consistantly challenge for the cup. I wish it happens with Price, but BG will be judged based on how the team plays overall. If Price consistantly bombs, I am sure BG won't hesitate to ship him out. No GM will put his career ahead of another athletes one. As the say in Godfather, "it's business, nothing personal".
And I don't think Washington would bite. Ovechkin and Semin are the only two decent forwards they have :)
backstrom nylander and kozlov aren't too shabby themselves...
With the way BG has handled the goaltending situation...if we don't win, it will be one of the biggest reasons that we will bring up for our inconsistency...
Just found your blog here ....hell of a scary possibility. I can honestly say I never thought of that happening.....I was happier person before reading that. I sure hope Gainey has kept the communication lines open with these guys all along.
Chris, you are too good. As I was reading down through your blog, I was getting ready to speculate about the possibility of losing three goalies. Then, you throw in the punch line and outline the possible scenarios. I can see this happening, and it could be disastrous.
Why would Halak not leave for the big dollars in Russia? Obviously Montreal is not going to use him. As for Huet, if he gets a big offer from another team, more than likely he will accept it. People are fooling themselves if they think there is no demand out there for a goalie of Huet's abilities. Danis also must feel snubbed by the treatment he has received from the Organization. He would gladly jump at an opportunity with another team.
This leaves Price who is still only 20, and may not be ready to take over full time next year. Many of us thought he was ready this year, but look at how quickly things went downhill.
The one good thing is that I am sure that Gainey has thought about this long ago, and has planned a course of action. Time will tell how it works out.
The goalie situation is a good problem. But, it's a dilemma that will have to be figured out sooner rather than later.
Personally, with the lack of demand for goalies right now I believe Habs should make Huet an offer for 2 years: next year #1 goalie but giving Price 25-30 games, year 2 transition that would put Price as #1 and Huet getting 25-30 games. The contract numbers would reflect that strategy, too. Then, after those 2 years are over, Desjardins, another AHL tender, or a near retirement acquisition will become the Habs backup with Price playing 75% of the games. Huet would then look for greener pastures.
Halak will go elsewhere soon, but do you blame him? Who wants to be stuck in the AHL for the rest of their budding career? Some of the NHL teams struggling 'between the pipes' may be looking for a young goalie who's ready to take off and affordable. Or, as mentioned in the above blog, Halak will pack his bags and head over to Russia.
enjoying the high's of being a Habs fan
Actually Danis is worse off than Halak.He is the backup no matter who is down in Hamilton.If Halak is there or Price.Montreal seems hard on goalies....but I don't think Gainey would 'not' play them in order to have better bargaining power.He doesn't seem to be like that to me.Huet's worth is not how much the backup's play its how much the going rate for goalies of his age and ability would demand..
I hope the Habs sign Huet for at least one more year to give Price a gradual taste of the big game....
Welcome Chris and remember all......GO HABS GO
Well... question is how do you handle potentially 4 starting goalies? Or promising, would be a better term.
After all, if all 4 are ready to play at the NHL level, then decisions need to be made. They won't accept staying in the AHL for too long and will either demand to be traded or just bolt to a different league. Either way, seems like Habs are bound to lose at least one goalie for sure.
To me, Habs are still not ready to make a run for the cup this year and that's why I think that Huet should be considered as part of a trade that will bring us a bona fide #1 center (a big one). It's a gamble of course, since the jury is still out on Price and/or Halak. I firmly believe that Halak/Price tendem is the future for this team, but looks like the management and coaching staff doesn't and perhaps we'll see one of our dman playing goal soon.