And All That Could Have Been: the 08-09 Canadiens

[geschrocks33]

Give Halak a chance. Carey Price has been clearly playing absolutely horrible since the all star break. Halak has been playing 100% better than Price. Just because Carey Price is made out to be the next Patrick Roy or whatever doesn't mean he should start night after night, even when he sucks. I'm sorry to all the people who collect him on here...but he is WAY overrated, it's ridiculous in my opinion. He's not as good as he's made out to be. He's a good goalie yes, but lately has been playing terrible. Let Halak play, give him some experience.

They Canadiens are like the Sabres lately, their star players and leaders have not been producing, and leads to losing 99% of the time.

[SK74]

Give Halak a chance. Carey Price has been clearly playing absolutely horrible since the all star break. Halak has been playing 100% better than Price. Just because Carey Price is made out to be the next Patrick Roy or whatever doesn't mean he should start night after night, even when he sucks. I'm sorry to all the people who collect him on here...but he is WAY overrated, it's ridiculous in my opinion. He's not as good as he's made out to be. He's a good goalie yes, but lately has been playing terrible. Let Halak play, give him some experience.

They Canadiens are like the Sabres lately, their star players and leaders have not been producing, and leads to losing 99% of the time.

Clearly, you've got your head in the sand (for lack of a better term). The fact that you think Price has been "absolutely horrible" and "Halak's a 100% better" really says a lot about the knowledge you have concerning the Canadiens. No offense, but that's not a compliment.

1. Price, while not stellar, has been anything but horrible. He's let in weak goals here and there, he's generally looked off his game but the defensive core can be blamed for a lot, make no mistake.

2. "Just because he's made out to be Patrick Roy blah blah"... While I do think Carey Price was rushed into the NHL a little early, the fact that YOU and the media create this illusion, it has absolutely no bearing on whether he starts games or not. The fact is, he's our number 1 goalie, I don't know about you but last time I checked starting goalies, start games. Ha! Go figure.

3. If you think he's overrated, well that's your opinion and I agree somewhat. However, it's WAY too early to start saying he's a bust or anything to that degree. Give him 2 or 3 season before you make up your mind about the kid, he was rushed into a starting role too young.

Having said that, I still think Price is and will be a franchise goalie. This is just a setback in my IMO, If I'm wrong, find me in 3 years and I'll pay you 1000 dollars in cash.

[gregmal05]

Clearly, you've got your head in the sand (for lack of a better term). The fact that you think Price has been "absolutely horrible" and "Halak's a 100% better" really says a lot about the knowledge you have concerning the Canadiens. No offense, but that's not a compliment.

1. Price, while not stellar, has been anything but horrible. He's let in weak goals here and there, he's generally looked off his game but the defensive core can be blamed for a lot, make no mistake.

2. "Just because he's made out to be Patrick Roy blah blah"... While I do think Carey Price was rushed into the NHL a little early, the fact that YOU and the media create this illusion, it has absolutely no bearing on whether he starts games or not. The fact is, he's our number 1 goalie, I don't know about you but last time I checked starting goalies, start games. Ha! Go figure.

3. If you think he's overrated, well that's your opinion and I agree somewhat. However, it's WAY too early to start saying he's a bust or anything to that degree. Give him 2 or 3 season before you make up your mind about the kid, he was rushed into a starting role too young.

Having said that, I still think Price is and will be a franchise goalie. This is just a setback in my IMO, If I'm wrong, find me in 3 years and I'll pay you 1000 dollars in cash.

I still do not think it can be argued though that based off the way Price has played vs the way Halak has played, that Halak should not be the starter. The main thing I, and I believe a few others are saying, is that Carey Price does not deserve to be starting, but because he is the Canadian wonder boy, he is.

You can point to stats, which are useful sometimes, but as you've said, you watch the games. Stopping 92% of shots is great, but if 2 of the goals you gave up are weak, and the team loses 3-2, or 2-1, then you arent playing well. Giving up 3/3 in the shootout, is not playing well.

You know my stance as we've been going back and forth on this since this summer lol. Halak is more NHL ready, IMO, both talent wise, and consistency wise. Even last year when Price was good, so was Halak. The only reason Price was the automatic starter, is because of the hype around him, and the fact that he is Canadian. Give Price 2-4 years and he'll be a solid goalie, but more so in the light of a Marc Andre Fleury (another hyped up kid from Canada), rather than the Patrick Roy type many expect.

[Brodeur_fan666]

I agree Price is over-rated , but he is way less than the defensive squad in front of him.

Mathieu Schneider physically CAN'T play 25 or 27 minutes like he's doing since his arrival. He should play mostly on the PP and/or PK , but again where was he on Spezza's goal last night ?

The «D» allowed again almost 40 shots against Ottawa ( 39 to be exact ) and that's partly because Ottawa played defensive hockey in the 3rd to protect the lead.

I won't even talk about Hamrlik watching Ruutu's move and then score...

[SK74]

I still do not think it can be argued though that based off the way Price has played vs the way Halak has played, that Halak should not be the starter. The main thing I, and I believe a few others are saying, is that Carey Price does not deserve to be starting, but because he is the Canadian wonder boy, he is.

You can point to stats, which are useful sometimes, but as you've said, you watch the games. Stopping 92% of shots is great, but if 2 of the goals you gave up are weak, and the team loses 3-2, or 2-1, then you arent playing well. Giving up 3/3 in the shootout, is not playing well.

You know my stance as we've been going back and forth on this since this summer lol. Halak is more NHL ready, IMO, both talent wise, and consistency wise. Even last year when Price was good, so was Halak. The only reason Price was the automatic starter, is because of the hype around him, and the fact that he is Canadian. Give Price 2-4 years and he'll be a solid goalie, but more so in the light of a Marc Andre Fleury (another hyped up kid from Canada), rather than the Patrick Roy type many expect.

I digress, I never implied that I think Price should start, I merely gave my explanation of why he does start. He was drafted for our future, to be our number 1 goalie, while it's sad that he was rushed in early, the fact remains the team has chosen him as the number 1 guy. The only problem I have with these "others" you speak of, is the fact that half of them have seen maybe one or two games, they look at a NHL boxscore and say oh wow, Price is playing so bad! When truly this is not the case.

As you said, you can point to stats, but statistics can be massaged anyway you like if you try hard enough. They only tell half the story, for example an outsider may think it's amazing how Halak always faces 40 shots while Carey typically sees anywhere from 20 to 35 but the truth is Halak creates these chances because he has inferior rebound control. Which brings me to my point, the stats don't show you how bad the defense really is right now. Btw, I don't blame Price for that shootout, to be fair he faced 40 shots during the game, the third period he absolutely stood on his head, ditto for OT. He was probably exhausted, can't blame him for that skills competition. But I get your point.

Yeah, me and you have been down this road several times so it's really a moot point, we just have different opinions. This time though, I believe Halak should get a few starts to see how far he can take us, give Carey a break because he looks mentally exhausted.

"..The only reason Price was the automatic starter, is because of the hype around him, and the fact that he is Canadian. "

I don't agree with this. The notion that the management makes decisions based upon "hype" and whatnot, is pretty ridiculous. The fans might have annointed him based purely off hype but to say that the scouts and management are that incompetent is a little over the top.

[geschrocks33]

Clearly, you've got your head in the sand (for lack of a better term). The fact that you think Price has been "absolutely horrible" and "Halak's a 100% better" really says a lot about the knowledge you have concerning the Canadiens. No offense, but that's not a compliment.

1. Price, while not stellar, has been anything but horrible. He's let in weak goals here and there, he's generally looked off his game but the defensive core can be blamed for a lot, make no mistake.

2. "Just because he's made out to be Patrick Roy blah blah"... While I do think Carey Price was rushed into the NHL a little early, the fact that YOU and the media create this illusion, it has absolutely no bearing on whether he starts games or not. The fact is, he's our number 1 goalie, I don't know about you but last time I checked starting goalies, start games. Ha! Go figure.

3. If you think he's overrated, well that's your opinion and I agree somewhat. However, it's WAY too early to start saying he's a bust or anything to that degree. Give him 2 or 3 season before you make up your mind about the kid, he was rushed into a starting role too young.

Having said that, I still think Price is and will be a franchise goalie. This is just a setback in my IMO, If I'm wrong, find me in 3 years and I'll pay you 1000 dollars in cash.

I don't create the illusion that he's the next Patrick Roy, I'm simply quoting all the others that say this. I don't think he's going to be anywhere close to Patrick Roy or Marty Brodeur in the end. And if you read, I said he's a good goalie, just not lately. Don't insult me when there's positive in there.

Also last sentence of my post...Their star players and leaders haven't been producing...meaning I'm not just dissing Carey Price, I'm saying their whole team has been playing bad.

Don't say I have my "head in the sand" just because I simply pointed out that the Canadiens and Carey Price haven't been playing well.

My team the Buffalo Sabres have been playing terrible also, and I came out and said that. Just because your team is losing, and is about to fall out of the playoffs, and your "franchise goalie" isn't producing along with all your other "all-star's" on that team, it doesn't give you the right to insult people

[senrab]

I don't create the illusion that he's the next Patrick Roy, I'm simply quoting all the others that say this. I don't think he's going to be anywhere close to Patrick Roy or Marty Brodeur in the end. And if you read, I said he's a good goalie, just not lately. Don't insult me when there's positive in there.

Also last sentence of my post...Their star players and leaders haven't been producing...meaning I'm not just dissing Carey Price, I'm saying their whole team has been playing bad.

Don't say I have my "head in the sand" just because I simply pointed out that the Canadiens and Carey Price haven't been playing well.

My team the Buffalo Sabres have been playing terrible also, and I came out and said that. Just because your team is losing, and is about to fall out of the playoffs, and your "franchise goalie" isn't producing along with all your other "all-star's" on that team, it doesn't give you the right to insult people

I think the kid's just going through a rough time. He's in a slump and is struggling with his confidence. He was pretty good last year when Gainey traded away Huet and he had to step up immediately. Not an easy thing to do.

[SK74]

I don't create the illusion that he's the next Patrick Roy, I'm simply quoting all the others that say this. I don't think he's going to be anywhere close to Patrick Roy or Marty Brodeur in the end. And if you read, I said he's a good goalie, just not lately. Don't insult me when there's positive in there.

Also last sentence of my post...Their star players and leaders haven't been producing...meaning I'm not just dissing Carey Price, I'm saying their whole team has been playing bad.

Don't say I have my "head in the sand" just because I simply pointed out that the Canadiens and Carey Price haven't been playing well.

My team the Buffalo Sabres have been playing terrible also, and I came out and said that. Just because your team is losing, and is about to fall out of the playoffs, and your "franchise goalie" isn't producing along with all your other "all-star's" on that team, it doesn't give you the right to insult people

Well you never actually quoted anyone, I believe the correct term you were looking to use is paraphrase but that's besides the point. I've never heard any Habs fan say that Price would be the next Roy or Brodeur. The media has portrayed him that way in the past, ergo my comments were correct. Look, I've got nothing against you but I've heard this crappy argument before and I'm not buying it. I never actually seen a fan of the Canadiens outright say that he'd be as good as anyone of those greats. People might have hoped and dreamed that he'd take us to the promise land in his rookie season, but who actually put money on it?

Whats your point? I read it.

You didn't just simply state that they are playing bad, you also said "Price has been terrible", which is wrong. You said Halak is 100% better, you're wrong again. Sorry if you're that offended, but I stand by my comments. IMO, you have no idea what you're talking about (Head in the sand).

LOL You can't be serious, if it isn't the pot calling the kettle black. Get a grip.

[MatsSundin13Rocks]

I really have to lmao at some Montreal fans (not all though). Really Huet and Halak both are playing better than Price but Price gets the starting job each year. Huet gets traded away for a 2nd round pick which was crazy last year. This year Halak makes 40 stops when he plays and if Price/Halak combo was on any other team based on play and consistency Halak would be the #1 goalie and Price would be #2. Maybe the Leafs should trade a 2nd round pick for Halak.

[RGM81]

I really have to lmao at some Montreal fans (not all though). Really Huet and Halak both are playing better than Price but Price gets the starting job each year. Huet gets traded away for a 2nd round pick which was crazy last year. This year Halak makes 40 stops when he plays and if Price/Halak combo was on any other team based on play and consistency Halak would be the #1 goalie and Price would be #2. Maybe the Leafs should trade a 2nd round pick for Halak.

It's nice to dream eh? This is another uninformed post about the Canadiens organization. Let's go with some facts here:

Cristobal Huet was an impending free agent and he was not going to be re-signed by the Canadiens at anywhere near the term and dollars that he got from Chicago. He simply wasn't in the organization's future plans as the #1 goaltender and for his part, he didn't want to be sharing games at a 60/40 or even 65/35 rate with Price--he wanted to be a #1 goaltender getting #1 ice time. I would say that his stats this season clearly demonstrate that Bob Gainey was right to get what he did out of him before he left as a free agent. Closing thought on Huet: he's never won a playoff series in his NHL career, the only time he's led his team anywhere in a tournament was during the lockout in the German league. Carey Price has World Junior Gold, a Calder Cup, and posted a Game 7 shutout as a rookie in the NHL.

Jaroslav Halak is a good goaltender who has on a couple of occasions made 40+ saves to win games this year. He played brilliantly down the stretch in 2006-07 and gave the Habs a chance to make the playoffs with a win in the final game of the season against the Leafs. Oh wait, I'm not done with Huet yet: with a 5-3 lead at the end of the second period, he melted down and the Leafs won 6-5 and the Habs missed the playoffs. When Price was struggling against the Flyers last year, Jaro was put in goal to turn the tide...and came up short. He's also had his share of bad games this season - he let in 4 goals on 12 shots against Anaheim, 6 against Calgary, 4 against Vancouver, and there have been a number of goals against he would love to have back. We can pick and choose at anything we want to either build a guy up or team him down. I'm not going to do the latter with our very capable backup goaltender, I'm merely illustrating that much like Montreal's other young goaltender--the one drafted in the first round, not the 9th--Halak has had his share of ups and downs as well.

I've got no problem with fans of other teams sharing their opinions about the Canadiens. It makes for good discussion. But the discussion is a lot better when people enter into the discussion with a few more facts and insights rather than relying on very surface-level elements, weak logic, and faulty conclusions.