Below is an excerpt from the ESPN article by Scott Burnside who discusses numerous situations within the NHL, including the Canadiens goaltending situation:
3. Speaking of goalies, how do you feel about the Montreal goaltending situation?
Honestly, slightly uneasy. There is no disputing that sophomore Carey Price is a world talent. But over the past week or so, the Canadiens have proven with a series of erratic performances that they’re not going to run away with the Eastern Conference. Moreover, the up-and-down play of Price — whose goals allowed over the past four starts look like this: 2, 6, 0, 6 — begs the question whether GM Bob Gainey isn’t headed down the same path that cost the Canadiens a trip to the Eastern Conference final a year ago.
You’ll recall that after trading Cristobal Huet to Washington at last year’s trade deadline, Gainey turned over the goaltending duties to two untested rookies, Price and Jaroslav Halak. In the end, that move cost the Habs, as Price wobbled at the end of the first round against Boston and then collapsed in a five-game series loss to Philadelphia. Price is still putting up solid numbers (he’s 8-3-1 with a .915 save percentage and 2.61 GAA), and the Habs are still near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
But the bottom line is the Canadiens’ goaltending lineup lacked a veteran presence this spring, and there’s no reason to think it won’t lack that same presence next spring. That’s why we’d keep our eyes on guys like veteran netminder Dwayne Roloson, who might look in a Canadiens jersey, or Nikolai Khabibulin, or Manny Fernandez, although that’s not going to happen given that the Bruins and Habs are division-mates. Still, food for thought, no?
Habster:
Granted, Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak haven’t been as consistent as you’d want them to be, but they are young goaltenders who are playing behind a very inconsistent team right now!! When the Canadiens play a solid two way game, take their defensive zone responsibilities more seriously, then Price and Halak won’t be left out to dry.