Robert L Note: I'm not crazy about this deal, but it can be assumed that Bob Gainey didn't figure on resigning Cristobal Huet this summer. With Jaroslav Halak doing so well in Hamilton, and a offer of a second round pick coming to his way, Gainey perhaps felt that Huet's stock was as high as it was going to get.
Here's the TSN take on the deal:
The Montreal Canadiens have traded goaltender Cristobal Huet to the Washington Capitals for a second-round draft pick.
Huet, 32, has a 21-12-6 record and 2.56 goals-against average this season with a .916 save percentage.
With Huet dealt, the Canadiens have turned to 20-year-old Carey Price as their third starting goaltender in as many seasons. Ironically, Huet became the team's new starter in 2006, when general manager Bob Gainey dealt former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Cristobal Huet to Colorado on the eve of the trading deadline.
Huet is in the final year of a two-year contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
NHL on TSN Analysis
Keith Jones on Huet: "I'm shocked. I don't think they got enough for Huet... The Montreal Canadiens have had succeess going with rookie goaltender in the past... But I'm surprised the market was so small for Huet."
More on this as it comes in.
10 comments:
Wow.
I must be one of the few Habs fans that think Price is not ready yet for a #1 role, but it's been thrust upon him so I have to hope for the best.
I don't believe he is quite ready yet either, but it is Huet's UFA status that is the cause of this deal and not Price or Halak's play.
It's risky for sure and hopefully Price responds starting tonight.
I would think this is the groundwork for another trade. No way this makes sense otherwise.
Carbo & Gainey both know he's not ready to shoulder the load by himself. Guaranteed we'll be getting a Roloson or something like that to tide us over. THis trade is not over.
Halak is ready. Carbonneau screwed up big time starting Huet two days in a row on weekend games about a month ago leaving Halak on the bench...started the current funk the Habs are currently in. Come on Hossa!
Huet wasn't going to take them anywhere, and if he has half the class I think he has already told them what he is going to do at the end of the year.
They are no better, or worse, than yesterday. Except they have an extra second round pick.
Christensen is a good player, Atlanta lucked in there. He would have been a good pick up.
Gary
I don't mind the fact that the Habs traded Huet, but are you telling me that Hall Gill (traded for a 2nd and 5th rounder) is worth more that Huet(only 2nd rounder) ???!
The fact that Gill is under contract through 08/09 could lead to the additional pick. Washington is taking a gamble on the fact that they will be able to resgin Huet next season. I am sure Huet will receive something in the range of 4 years and $5.5-6.5 million.
Trades are always a gamble, and Gainey's rolled the dice! While I wouldn't have made the same deal, I'm a random hockey fan, and obviously Gainey had his reasons. Maybe something like salary space played into it. Maybe their scouts have some great prospects in mind.
I wish all the best to Cristo Huet. I'll miss having CH as the CH goaltender.
If Washington kicks Montreal out of the playoffs (which was always a possibility), the mob will call for Gainey's head. I guess that's life as a hockey GM!
I'm really sad today, as Huet was one of my favorite habs. This trade is so dissapointing. I know the market was bad for goalies, but then, why selling him now? Wouldn't he have been more useful to the team for the next three months or so, helping Price? This is an experienced all star goalie. A second round pick seems pretty cheap to me.
Halak is playing awesome in Hamilton and we had to make this trade to get something for Huet. Sad to see him go but to Huet was ranked No.22 in NHL goaltenders.
We have the best 1-2 young goalies in the league for years to come.
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