THE YOUNGEST GOALTENDER TANDEM IN THE LEAGUE

Here is the deal: Many arm chair GM’s are trying to rationalise the Huet trade by tying it in with the expectations for Hossa. If there is one thing we should all know about Gainey is that he does not take big risks. Had the Huet trade (or rather giveaway) be linked to the Hossa deal, it would have waited till later on in the day. Bottom line, Huet left because it was in Bob’s plans.

With that in mind, let us take a quick look at what happened. We got a 2nd round draft pick for next year’s draft pool (which is deemed weaker than this year’s group) for a number 1 goaltender. At first glance you wonder if Mr. Bob had one too many Enchiladas for lunch to slow down the old Gulliver.

But let us look at the bigger picture here. Obviously we know now that the higher administration had no intention or plans of signing Huet for another deal come this year’s UFA frenzy. They were clearly ready to give the reigns to the young goaltenders who have proven their worth in the AHL. So we hold on to Huet for 5 more weeks and we get bubkas. We give him up now and we get a decent draft pick. Not too shabby.

The question then becomes, would Huet being around for 5 more weeks make a difference in our fate. This is where the topic is up for discussion. In my measly opinion Huet has proven to be an outstanding goaltender. He has performed beyond expectations and showed that the stretch where he replaced Jose Theodore was not a flash in the pan. The team has a great winning percentage with him in net, and he is a wonderful team player and role model for the youngsters. However he has also shown that under pressure (whether the playoffs, or with Price biting at his heels) he breaks down. And not a little, I mean really breaks down. Those few games he played when Price came back from the AHL, he let in so many softies I though Theodore had snuck back in the locker room and hit the ice in Huet’s jersey.

Price on the other hand has proven that he has much to learn. He has the technique and the natural talent, but he is far from reaching his potential, and not quite yet a bonified NHL calibre #1 goaltender. He does however thrive under pressure and perform at his best. He has risen to the challenge every time. His current problems are consistency and lack of confidence in guarding an NHL net.

SO here are your two players and as a coach you have to decide with 18 games left before the playoffs, who is your guy? Well Huet had a chance to show off his stuff on two separate occasions, both as #1. In fact last year he dropped the ball for us in the final game on the season, when the coach gave him the ultimate vote of confidence and replaced a hot and consistent Halak in net upon his return from an injury. So would betting the company payroll on Huet work out this time? Is the third time the charm?

On the other hand you have Price who hasn’t had a shot yet. Based on the fact that he plays his best games under pressure is a good fit going in to the playoffs. Last year under similar circumstances, he was given the reigns to the Hamilton Bulldogs with a hand full of games in the regular season and he PROVED to the world he can run with the bulls. Furthermore, thinking ahead, for a goaltender who lacks in consistency and confidence, is there any better way to give him the opportunity to be consistent and give him the confidence boost he needs than to announce to the world the whole Montreal Canadiens organization is behind the decision of making him #1?

If I may sum up post, going with either goalie would have been a gamble. Given our future aspirations, Price’s past experiences (mainly in the AHL last year) and the psychological hurdles each goaltender faces, going with Price is a no brainer. It is by far the LEAST risky choice, and even if it doesn’t work out it will pay off future dividends in the form of playoff experience, confidence boost, and psychological support. And this is just the effects on Price. Can you imagine the confidence boost and general good will in the locker room? For a team packed with players under the age of 25 on the main roster, the administrations confidence and support of youngsters is fuel that is seldom found around the league.

The decision made by the management has a high potential of working out in the short run, and regardless will yield unimaginable returns in the future. And on top of it all we get an extra draft pick that is relatively high in the pecking order. If this isn’t remarkable General Management, than I don’t know what is.