Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
 
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> No deal yet, but Huet, Habs talking
Post Info TOPIC: No deal yet, but Huet, Habs talking
SpiderManNL


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 801
Date:
No deal yet, but Huet, Habs talking
Permalink Closed

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/canadiensstory.html?id=793dc834-1176-4357-9f2b-26b943fe4bf7&k=37082


 


By PAT HICKEY
 
You can dismiss any reports you may have heard that the Canadiens are close to a deal with goaltender Cristobal Huet.

But I can report some good news. The two sides began talking yesterday, although Huet's agent, lawyer Stephen Bartlett, described the phone conversation as "brief" and "preliminary."

Signing Huet is a priority for Habs' GM Bob Gainey, who said he hoped to take advantage of the exclusive negotiating period that ends June 15. After that, the Canadiens would have to wait until July 1, when Huet would be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent and there would be a free-for-all for his services.

Money and length of contract will be the issues in the coming negotiations. Huet is due a raise after establishing himself as the Canadiens' No.1 goaltender over the second half of the season. He made $456,000 U.S. last season, a shade over the National Hockey League's minimum wage.

Bartlett also represents Christopher Higgins and Mike Komisarek, but there's no urgency to negotiate their contracts. As is the case with most young players, they have little bargaining power and that's particularly true for Higgins, who is not eligible to file for arbitration.

Huet is one of six Habs who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents this summer.

July 1 is the scheduled date, but it could be later if the NHL and the players association can't decide on a salary-cap figure for the 2006-07 season.

The only other priority for Gainey is defenceman Francis Bouillon. Aaron Downey, Todd Simpson and Niklas Sundstrom will probably be allowed to ride off into the sunset while Jan Bulis will be shopping for a new team. Bulis had a career-high 20 goals, but didn't feel that Gainey appreciated his contribution.

Zednik looking to move? Richard Zednik does have a contract for next season but (a) he may want to come back and/or (b) the Canadiens may be looking to move him after his production dropped last season.

One hint that Zednik may not feel his long-term future is here is the fact that his Nuns' Island home is on the market. The street Zednik lives on doesn't have much karma for Canadiens' players. His neighbours include ex-Habs Jose Theodore and Patrice Brisebois.



__________________
SpiderManNL


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 801
Date:
Permalink Closed

I've got a bad feeling....I hope I'm wrong but I don't think hes going to resign with the Canadiens.



__________________
Jedah


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 506
Date:
Permalink Closed

Actually, I'm not nervous at all. He loved playing in Montreal and says he wants to stay. Where else can a Francophone goaltender be happier? Plus Gainey realizes how valuble Huet is to the team since he traded Theodore away, so I'm sure he'll cough up enough dough to sign him.

-- Edited by Jedah at 18:21, 2006-06-03

__________________
rwp2le


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 595
Date:
Permalink Closed

Wow, I can't believe your not nervous.  I am shaking in my boots that we don't sign Huet.  I bought MC a Huet jersey for god sakes.  Bobbo had better sign him,  or I will beat him with that Jersey. 

__________________
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
Habs and Avs Fan


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 279
Date:
Permalink Closed


rwp2le wrote:
Wow, I can't believe your not nervous.  I am shaking in my boots that we don't sign Huet.  I bought MC a Huet jersey for god sakes.  Bobbo had better sign him,  or I will beat him with that Jersey. 


Haha. Either way even if we keep Abby we will have a good goaltender in nets. I think we should really concentrate more on getting a big center, some offense....

__________________
Go AVS and HABS Sakic is da man.
Jedah


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 506
Date:
Permalink Closed

Gainey's a very smart man. He's covered all of his options. You'll notice Aebischer is a RESTRICTED free agent. And like Habs and Avs Fan has so nicely pointed out, we're still in a good position with Aebischer, however unlikely I think that will be. I'm almost positive Huet will re-sign and Aebischer will be traded. But if Huet for some odd reason does not sign, Aebischer is a number 1 goalie.

__________________
rwp2le


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 595
Date:
Permalink Closed

I really don't see Abby ever being a #1 in Montreal.  If so he will be a Jocelyn Thibault, or Jeff Hacket type #1.  #1 until we find someone better.  When the Habs are great, not just good, great, they always have a world class goaltender.  Abby is not that guy.  I personally don't see it.  If Gainey has a "5 year plan" he knows he needs a world class goaltender.  He did it in Dallas with Belfour.  Could Huet be our next great?  I hope so, and thats why I hope we sign him.  I will take a good positional goalie like him any day. 

__________________
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
brooklynhabfan


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1887
Date:
Permalink Closed


rwp2le wrote:
Could Huet be our next great?  I hope so, and thats why I hope we sign him.  I will take a good positional goalie like him any day. 


I hope so too, but it would be great to have some insurance, as we've all seen them come and go before

__________________
THX1138
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

Habs and Avs Fan wrote:

rwp2le wrote: Wow, I can't believe your not nervous.  I am shaking in my boots that we don't sign Huet.  I bought MC a Huet jersey for god sakes.  Bobbo had better sign him,  or I will beat him with that Jersey.  Haha. Either way even if we keep Abby we will have a good goaltender in nets. I think we should really concentrate more on getting a big center, some offense....
Your biased view on Abby sort of makes your opinion weaker. You are a Avs fan as well as a habs fan. PErsonally, why settle for a "good" goalie when we have rights to one of the best from last year. I say there is no choice BUT to resign Huet, and im POSITIVE he will resign. You canot turn down the bell center chanting you name...unless your Theo...because it will be the "salo" chant. TAAAAAAYYY-OOOOOO TAAAAAAAAYYYYYY-OOOO

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
Jedah


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 506
Date:
Permalink Closed

Exactly my point, Johab. Nobody who's loved so much by the Bell Centre crowd would turn it away! Factor in that he's a Francophone and he's right at home. I can't see why he wouldn't want to sign or why Gainey wouldn't want his services. So no worries here.

Aebischer is basically a "Plan B" if for some strange reason Huet decides not to return. He's capable of delivering decent goaltending, but nowhere near up to Huet's standards.

__________________
Habs and Avs Fan


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 279
Date:
Permalink Closed


Johab wrote:
Habs and Avs Fan wrote:
rwp2le wrote: Wow, I can't believe your not nervous.  I am shaking in my boots that we don't sign Huet.  I bought MC a Huet jersey for god sakes.  Bobbo had better sign him,  or I will beat him with that Jersey.  Haha. Either way even if we keep Abby we will have a good goaltender in nets. I think we should really concentrate more on getting a big center, some offense....
Your biased view on Abby sort of makes your opinion weaker. You are a Avs fan as well as a habs fan. PErsonally, why settle for a "good" goalie when we have rights to one of the best from last year. I say there is no choice BUT to resign Huet, and im POSITIVE he will resign. You canot turn down the bell center chanting you name...unless your Theo...because it will be the "salo" chant. TAAAAAAYYY-OOOOOO TAAAAAAAAYYYYYY-OOOO


I have always liked Abby and not only because he played for the Avs but of course Huet is the better goalie. But I don't know I want to see the Habs get another sort of star like Kovalev, a center, a big one. So Koivu can be the number 2 center and have less pressure on him. I just hope that after we sign him if we do to a 2 million- 4 million dollar contract he doesn't play at 80%.

-- Edited by Habs and Avs Fan at 14:37, 2006-06-04

__________________
Go AVS and HABS Sakic is da man.
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

I can guarentee you, if we keep Abby, huet will not be making any more than 2.5-3 million because you are then playing 6 million+ for 2 goalies, when you can have 1 solid goalie and an above average player for that price. Personally, i want Abby gone, not because of his play, but for the fact that really...we dont NEED him. We have danis who needs to get his experience...Price will be coming up soon...( 5th overall WHOOPSI!!!!!...SPLAT) All that and Abby will be costing us close to 3 million to sit on the bench...meanwhile...we have holes all over your roster for Center and Defense...

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
JohnM


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1746
Date:
Permalink Closed

Guys and gals, Huet had a good 20 or so games and a decent 6 game playoff. Let's not get too excited about him. Miller, Ward, Roloson, etc... all had better playoffs than him. Gainey won't tie up too much $ with him or for too long. He could be a one hit wonder and we don't want to get stuck with another one of those...

__________________
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

John, you're forgetting to put into account the teams infront of the goalie. Lalime played well infront of ottawa and soemtimes was "unbeatable" and then was moved to St Louis where he sucked @$$....and i dont call 6 shutouts in less than half a season a fluke...especially in the new NHL. Huet MUST stay, for a reasonable price. Sure he may be a 1 hit wonder,  but id rather have him prove US that under a 1 year deal than him sign elsewhere and prove us wrong!

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
Habs and Avs Fan


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 279
Date:
Permalink Closed


Johab wrote:
John, you're forgetting to put into account the teams infront of the goalie. Lalime played well infront of ottawa and soemtimes was "unbeatable" and then was moved to St Louis where he sucked @$$....and i dont call 6 shutouts in less than half a season a fluke...especially in the new NHL. Huet MUST stay, for a reasonable price. Sure he may be a 1 hit wonder,  but id rather have him prove US that under a 1 year deal than him sign elsewhere and prove us wrong!


Johab it's no doubt that if we keep Huet Abby and his 2 mil are gone....... But I'm with John, we're overreacting a bit on Huet's performance. Do you guys remember Jim Carey the goalie lol..... How about Tomas Soderstrom, Patrick Lalime etc...

__________________
Go AVS and HABS Sakic is da man.
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

Huet is staying, mark my words...and Abby will not be a hab 1 year from now.

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
MC Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1977
Date:
Permalink Closed

I hope not.... I don't care for him.

__________________
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

And to think Mc Girl....If Huet doesnt sign, you would have spent ALL that money on that sweet jersey your wearing for nothing!!!

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
AB Habman


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2344
Date:
Permalink Closed

 Will Huet's quick popularity and admiration by the fans pressure Gainey to over pay like he did Theo?

__________________
Ando


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1334
Date:
Permalink Closed

JohnM wrote:

Guys and gals, Huet had a good 20 or so games and a decent 6 game playoff. Let's not get too excited about him...Gainey won't tie up too much $ with him or for too long...He could be a one hit wonder...

Geez JohnM, that type of thinking sounds somewhat familiar (just substitute the players name and people would swear that you stole one of And-o's posts)!


...answer And-o this though, what leverage has Gainey got in negotiating price with Huet's agent after his blank cheque approach of late??? 


Let me tell ya, if And-o were the agent for Huet, Bob Gainey would be doing far more listening than talking!  Honestly!!! 


In fact, Huet should be asking somewhere in the range of $+4 million USD per.....and anything less is a freaking insult!!! 



__________________
Johab


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1350
Date:
Permalink Closed

Im Sorry And-o but 4+ million!?!?! and he made like 500 000 this past year i believe....thats quite the jump!! Although he WAS underpaid this past year...lets no OVER pay the guy a la theo for next year...ESPECIALLY being what happened with Theo...we dont need Danis coming up and taking over the helm....

__________________
At just 18, i've got the girl who has said the 6 words i've wanted to hear my whole life!! " My Dad Owns A Liquor Store"
AB Habman


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 2344
Date:
Permalink Closed

Ando wrote:

JohnM wrote: Guys and gals, Huet had a good 20 or so games and a decent 6 game playoff. Let's not get too excited about him...Gainey won't tie up too much $ with him or for too long...He could be a one hit wonder... Geez JohnM, that type of thinking sounds somewhat familiar (just substitute the players name and people would swear that you stole one of And-o's posts)! ...answer And-o this though, what leverage has Gainey got in negotiating price with Huet's agent after his blank cheque approach of late???  Let me tell ya, if And-o were the agent for Huet, Bob Gainey would be doing far more listening than talking!  Honestly!!!  In fact, Huet should be asking somewhere in the range of $+4 million USD per.....and anything less is a freaking insult!!! 

 To add to this if you don't mind And-o...will Huet the UFA look elsewhere if the big offer isn't with the Habs? Does the Montreal media, fans and his solid play with the Habs make him richer  staying and less valuable with another team?


 This is a tough one to guage but yet we need Huet.



__________________
MC Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1977
Date:
Permalink Closed


Johab wrote:




And to think Mc Girl....If Huet doesnt sign, you would have spent ALL that money on that sweet jersey your wearing for nothing!!!




I'll still leave it Huet..... I won't re-letter it & I'm not worried about it.


I'm sure Huet is here to stay *\o/*



__________________
MC Girl


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1977
Date:
Permalink Closed


Johab wrote:




Im Sorry And-o but 4+ million!?!?! and he made like 500 000 this past year i believe....thats quite the jump!! Although he WAS underpaid this past year...lets no OVER pay the guy a la theo for next year...ESPECIALLY being what happened with Theo...we dont need Danis coming up and taking over the helm....




I think 2 million tops (for now)....... & we'll see if he is a "One Hit Wonder". (For the record, I don't think he is)


I'm sure he's worth a lot more than that but he's still proving himself to the Habs.



__________________
Ando


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1334
Date:
Permalink Closed

AB Habman wrote:

...will Huet the UFA look elsewhere if the big offer isn't with the Habs?

AB...if Gainey shows much resistance to cutting a big cheque...Cristobal Huet's agent will be looking to flog his wares with any NHL team.


...and And-o guarantees that Huet's agent won't be making any "first calls" to anyone!



__________________
JohnM


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1746
Date:
Permalink Closed

No way will BG get locked into another bad deal like the Theo deal. The lesson has been learned and this year just shows you, no matter how much you pay your goalie, it means nothing unless he gets hot at the right time.

-- Edited by JohnM at 08:29, 2006-06-06

__________________
barry33


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 3191
Date:
Permalink Closed

Johab wrote:

Im Sorry And-o but 4+ million!?!?! and he made like 500 000 this past year i believe....thats quite the jump!! Although he WAS underpaid this past year...lets no OVER pay the guy a la theo for next year...ESPECIALLY being what happened with Theo...we dont need Danis coming up and taking over the helm....
The bottom line here is this. If Gainey does not pay the 4 million, someone will (Helllooooo Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver). So it will come down to his judgement as to whether he can live without Huet. End of story. Gainey overpaid for Begin because he felt that the club could not do without him. Now we will find out if he feels the same way about Huet. I for one will puke if I see him in a Leafs uniform next season.

__________________
________________ I'm as confused as a starving baby in a topless bar!
ScottishHAB


Veteran Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 118
Date:
Permalink Closed


barry33 wrote:
Johab wrote:
Im Sorry And-o but 4+ million!?!?! and he made like 500 000 this past year i believe....thats quite the jump!! Although he WAS underpaid this past year...lets no OVER pay the guy a la theo for next year...ESPECIALLY being what happened with Theo...we dont need Danis coming up and taking over the helm....
The bottom line here is this. If Gainey does not pay the 4 million, someone will (Helllooooo Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver). So it will come down to his judgement as to whether he can live without Huet. End of story. Gainey overpaid for Begin because he felt that the club could not do without him. Now we will find out if he feels the same way about Huet. I for one will puke if I see him in a Leafs uniform next season.
We can't overpay just to avoid him going to Toronto(or anywhere else).We have to decide on a top price and not budge-$2.5 seems about tops to me.


__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
GOHABS.com -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> GOHABS.com Message Board -> No deal yet, but Huet, Habs talking
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard