Habster:
Jaroslav Halak is the real deal and could easily play in the NHL for another team. I know I’m in the minority but I like what Gainey did with his goaltending. Huet had hit a wall at the 50 game mark of this season and wasn’t playing terribly well when he was dealt.
Hab fans have to remember that Huet has never played more than 42 games in an NHL season (he also played 41 games in 2003-04 for LA) which could explain why his game has slumped in recent weeks.
Rightfully or wrongfully, I truly believe Halak and Price will push each other to play well and give the Canadiens solid goaltending for the remainder of the season. Gainey may have dealt Huet because he was an UFA but you have to believe that he also wanted to force Guy Carbonneau’s hand to start Carey Price more often……sort of an indirect way of guiding his team’s on ice decision making process. Gainey has shown in the past (drafting him 5th overall in 2005 and keeping him on the roster after training camp when Carbo thought otherwise) that he is a big Price supporter.
Both goalies have nothing more to prove at the AHL level and Gainey has given them the “keys” to the Habs net to drive this team into the playoffs and hopefully beyond!!!!