Cristobal Huet
Big Question?
So Carey Price gets sent down and Huet took the ball and is running with it now. Montreal has their #1 Goalie for now but what about next season?
Can they rely on Carey Price and Halak?
Most fans(including myself) thought Carey Price was ready for prime time this season and was going to push for the #1 job in Montreal. He started great going 5-1-1 but after that he looked very average but still very promising in the future.
Critobal Huet is having a pretty good year so far and is a un-restricted free agent July 1rst. Now the big question is this?
Will he stay?
Will he reject any offer from the Habs?
Will he be moved?
The way things are looking for Montreal it looks as if he is here to stay at least until the season is over. Would Bob Gainey want to re-sign him for another year? I think he can manage to get that done but Huet would be demanding #1 Goalie money. About $4-5 Million(would seem fair?)
Whatever the amount would be it would be a raise from his $2.875Million he is getting now. Would it be worth it to re-sign him at a hefty price?
If you judge by his play right now I think most fans would say “Of course, you have to keep him at least another year!” And it would make sense until Carey Price is ready.
What if Huet chooses to walk July 1rst. Huet has stated he doesn’t want to be a backup anymore. He knows he can get the money and the ice-time. It would leave Montreal in a bit of a pickle because they don’t want to rush Price but at the same time they need a legit #1 goalie to win them some games.
If that scenario happens, Knowing Huet will walk I think Gainey should trade Huet right before the draft to a team who needs a goalie desperatly and can get a deal done with him before July 1rst. Much like the Timonen trade with Philly and Nashville. Maybe they can get a goalie with experience in return.
Montreal is having a déja vue like last season. Sheldon Souray was a UFA and Gainey didn’t trade him because they thought they needed him for a playoff push(we all know how that went!) and then lost him to free agency.
I believe Bob Gainey has a plan but it is leaving many fans like myself scratching their heads because if Huet leaves…..Price & Halak aren’t ready to handle 82 games in my opinion.
But you never know what can happen!
Just a few thoughts to consider!
By the way, GO PATS!