The Caps have acquired Cristobal Huet from Montreal for a 2nd round pick in the The 32-year-old Huet has never had a save percentage below .907 or a GAA above 2.81 in any full NHL season and is 21-12-6 with a 2.55 GAA and .916 save percentage this season. While he may not be "the answer," he is if the question is "can you name a French goalie who's better than either Olie Kolzig and Brent Johnson?" And hell, Huet may not even have to change his pads.
From his scouting report, Huet "Has a wealth of International (including Olympic) experience, so he rarely gets rattled by pressure situations," and "is an extremely sound positional 'keeper," but "is physically limited in terms of lateral mobility and overall agility," and "must make better in-game adjustments."
Huet is an unrestricted free agent after this season and, interestingly, played for Bruce Boudreau in Manchester of the AHL back in 2002-03.
What They're Saying:
"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." - Keith Jones, TSN.ca"
"For Washington, Huet's a major upgrade. If Kolzig had a .916 save percentage at this point, the Capitals would have allowed 35 fewer goals with their starter between the pipes, which would improve the team to a 2.49 goals against average (10th best in the league)." - Mirtle
"For giving up so little for an established starting goaltender, the Capitals appear the big winners in this one." - Spector
"[I]t shows Washington hasn't given up on the division -- but has given up on Olaf Kolzig, who apparently can't play in consecutive games anymore. I'd jump at the chance to get Huet for a second-round pick. The guy can play. I would have thought Montreal could have gotten more." - Lord Stanley's Blog
"In Washington, Huet will provide more stability in goal, where Olaf Kolzig is in his third-straight season posting a goals against average over 3.00, and his .888 save percentage is his lowest mark since 1995-1996.
That being the case, Huet will most likely improve Washington's goaltending, giving them a chance to reach the playoffs and the cost of a draft pick isn't that significant for that kind of acquisition." - Scott Cullen, TSN.ca
19 comments:
Great move right? Huet can be the goalie for a few years. He's an RFA this year.
I guess that ends Olie the Goalie's tenure as the #1 right?
1) OMG!! Thats a legit starting goalie for virtually nothing. What was Monreal thinking? Price hasn't looked ready to be # 1 when we've seen him
2) Get him signed now. Great move by GMGM!
So who goes now, Johnnie or Olie?
1) How about Ollie to Ottawa? They have a forward or two who are expendable? Wade Redden?
Get rid of Johnny. It just doesn't seem right trading Kolzig. As a backup, I don't really think Johnny is worth keeping so that we can do to Kolzig what we did to Bondra.
TSN is reporting that its for a 2nd round pick in 2009
In '09? Even better. Nice job, GMGM.
Whatever happens with Olie, let's hope the organ-i-zation treats him with all the dignity and respect he has earned and deserves.
so, ummmm...who starts tonight??
ppp: actually, I think he's a UFA, not an RFA.
@ Maruk: Yup - the 2009 pick we got for Sutherby.
Hot rumor now is Olie to Ottawa.
1) Another rumor that won't go away until 3:00 pm is that this is only the first move of a 3-way deal where Huet gets traded again.
2) Not sure why the Habs couldn't/wouldn't trade Huet directly if thats their ultimate motive?
3) So here you'll have to wait for 'the other shoe to drop',: A Kolzig trade or another Huet deal.
Wasn't that a hot rumour (cause it's Ottawa) last season too?
for who, I wonder? Vermette?
@ Maruk: Only in my dreams.
Faux, I hope you're wrong. Huet and Olie as a 1-2 is so much better than a BJ and one of those guys.
That said, I don't wanna count my chickens...but does anyone else remember my post after Huet shut us out about how I was expecting him to have a Caps uniform before too long? Self promotion oh my.
yeah, mine too, JP. I reckon it's unreasonable to expect to get more for Olie than it cost for Huet.
@ Maruk - but maybe not for Olie and eminger and a low pick
Olie to Ottawa is DOA.
TSN is reporting that the Caps just got Fedorov for somebody named Theo Ruth.
Amazing day's work, George. Amazing.
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