Huet - How Hi-et would you go?

Cleghorn · Veteran Member

Huet - How Hi-et would you go?

Jedah · Guru

I can't see Gainey going any higher than 3 mil. Why? Yes, we all know he's a great goalie and certainly deserves it. But so was Theodore. No way Gainey makes another mistake like that again, because if Huet doesn't play up to his paycheck, we're in that whole big mess again.

brooklynhabfan · Guru

Cleghorn wrote:

He's a free agent the Star says could command $2 to $2.5M.
To me $2Ms a no brainer, $2.5M yes - even $3M. Higher? I personally wouldn't roll the dice on him.
At $2.5M - the Habs are saying we like you, Huet's saying I like you back. Habs shouldn't get sucked into a bidding war.

I was thinking about that before I opened the thread to see what you had to say, and I was in the 2.5 to 3 ballpark

I think ideally 2.75 with a slew of performance incentives thrown in and maybe 3 years on it...

heet_150 · Guru

Cleghorn wrote:

He's a free agent the Star says could command $2 to $2.5M. To me $2Ms a no brainer, $2.5M yes - even $3M. Higher? I personally wouldn't roll the dice on him. At $2.5M - the Habs are saying we like you, Huet's saying I like you back. Habs shouldn't get sucked into a bidding war.

This is just about the only reason why it is a not-so-horrible thing that the Habs got bumped in the first round (I feel like such a scumbag for saying it). Was he good in the regular season? YES. Was he one of the MAIN reasons the Habs made the playoffs? YES. Did he play well in the playoffs? YES. Did he win a playoff round? No. So, he will get a sub stantial pay increase next year, but, it could have been higher had he won one round in the playoffs. As I mentioned earlier, it's a scummy way to be, but, I'm thinking that is the way any GM would approach the situation. I think 2.5 to 2.75 first year and increases of 500,000 to 750,000 after that.

I doubt his agent would let him sign an incentive laden contract. Everyone has seen goaltenders fall apart after one or two good years. Osgood, Giguere, Potvin, Carey, Dipietro to name a few.

Muller93 · Guru

I think a relatively unproven guy( he only played what 40 games or something..sure he was stellar but whoopty do). Show me that for 2 seasons first.

2 year contract...1.5mil first 2 mil the second...then we will see.

24 Rings · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

I think a relatively unproven guy( he only played what 40 games or something..sure he was stellar but whoopty do). Show me that for 2 seasons first. 2 year contract...1.5mil first 2 mil the second...then we will see.

If you offer him 1.5 and 2, he will simply laugh at the offer and walk. There are lots of teams looking for goalies that will pay more than that in their sleep - Philly, Tampa, Detroit etc. AND he is an UFA. 1.5 million is nothing for a starting NHL goalie, that is what most back-ups make. You gotta get up near the 2.5 - 3 million mark. Kiprusoff makes 3.5 and 4 and he played almost the same number of games (I know that he took them to the Cup). The reason the Habs didn't win this round was not for lack of goaltending.

Muller93 · Guru

24 Rings wrote:

If you offer him 1.5 and 2, he will simply laugh at the offer and walk. There are lots of teams looking for goalies that will pay more than that in their sleep - Philly, Tampa, Detroit etc. AND he is an UFA. 1.5 million is nothing for a starting NHL goalie, that is what most back-ups make. You gotta get up near the 2.5 - 3 million mark. Kiprusoff makes 3.5 and 4 and he played almost the same number of games (I know that he took them to the Cup). The reason the Habs didn't win this round was not for lack of goaltending.

Could be right. And I like Huet. He is so calm.

But...and Barry or any goalies out there could correct me here....I am with Pang on this one. At times Huet looks like he has no idea where the puck is....he does not track well...Pang says that may stem from the fact that he started playing hockey late...I must admit, at times I was amazed at his play...and other times found myself asking...what the heck?

Habs got burned signing Theo to a huge contract based on one great season...but at least he had an impressive list of credentials( World Juniors etc).

I just think that giving him in the 3 mil range is...a scary thought...maybe a one year trial?? But not a long term thing.

24 Rings · Guru

I wouldn't sign him long term - 2 years tops. He's also 31 years old. They have Price as well who is their future and he should see some time next season.

JohnM · Guru

2 years, 1.5 million per season, total of $3 million.

macneil · Guru

2 years 4.5 total by then either danis will be fully assessed and price will be almost ready if he plays hardball i may go to 5 but no more , then id take a chance on danis and abby

Jay1982 · Guru

Muller93 wrote:

I think a relatively unproven guy( he only played what 40 games or something..sure he was stellar but whoopty do). Show me that for 2 seasons first.
2 year contract...1.5mil first 2 mil the second...then we will see.

I agree 101% good post. I have faith in him, but then again, a lot of people had faith in theo (I did not)