Cristobal Huet Signs 2 year deal

“Cristobal Huet is a very valuable member of the Canadiensâ€™ organization who helped our team to clinch a playoff berth last season,” said general manager Bob Gainey. “Cristobal likes the city of Montreal, we know he wanted to remain with the Canadiens, and we are pleased to have him under contract for the next two seasons.”

The first piece of the puzzle has been put in place. The Canadiens #1 netminder has been signed for 2 years.

Huet was the biggest and best surprise of last season and almost single handedly carried the team into the Playoffs.

Huet came to the Habs as a toss in with absolutely no expectations and worked himself into a prime time NHL starting goalie. Will he be able to excel at the same level for an 82 game season now that he is the undisputed #1 for the most storied NHL franchise?

What does this mean for David Aebischer? Is Gainey still going with the 2 goalie approach or should we expect Abeischer to be a in a different jersey come October?

Abeischer wants to be a starter and now that Huet is locked up it looks less and less that Abby will be a Habby for much longer. Plenty of teams still need goaltending and Abeischer still holds some value. If there is anything of value on the table then Gainey will make the right deal.

Cristobal Huet will be carrying the load with help from Yann Danis next fall.

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22 Comments

#1 Dragaon says:
June 26, 2006 at 3:25 pm

I am wondering how much he signed for. And does anyone else think Aebischer isnt goin to get us much in a trade deal?

#2 whotfru says:
June 26, 2006 at 4:57 pm

Huet got 5.75 for two years. I think it is a little high for a guy with one good season. However, if he continues to play the way he did it will be a steal. With that out of the way, let’s sign a centreman and winger to play with Kovalev

#3 Joshua says:
June 26, 2006 at 5:05 pm

5.75 for the 2 years, or 5.75 each year?

#4 Habs All The Way says:
June 26, 2006 at 5:11 pm

it’s 3 million for year #1, then 2.75 million for year #2…
re-sign ryder and higgins, then go get jason arnott on july 1st…
draft picks were great, focused on d-fence, which is the habs’ “weak” point…

GO HABS GO!!!

#5 fan3 says:
June 26, 2006 at 5:48 pm

its a little more than i would’ve liked but like whotfru said, it could be a steal if he continues to perform as well as he has. and to those that think it was way too much: we were paying theo that more than double that

#6 joey says:
June 26, 2006 at 5:53 pm

There is a roumor going around Aebischer for Martin St. Louis …

As for Huet. It’s good that we signed him. It’s a bit too much, but I don’t think Gainey had a choice. In the free market Huet would hae gotten the same amount, maybe more, and I dont’t feel comfortable having Aebischer in nets for a full year. So losing Huet was not an option…

#7 Habs#1 says:
June 26, 2006 at 7:50 pm

The Habs season will hinge on their offensive improvements made in the offseason and how well Huet does. So if he does well this was a great singing.

The rumored destinations for Aebischer are Detroit, St.Louis and Tampa Bay.

Does anyone which RFA’s Gainey qualified today?

#8 jean.pierre says:
June 26, 2006 at 11:22 pm

Abby as part of a package for Pronger?? perhaps.

#9 Habs Blog says:
June 26, 2006 at 11:40 pm

C’mon. Pronger doesn’t want to play in Quebec.

Pronger will go to a big market US team.

#10 Phil says:
June 27, 2006 at 9:00 am

Anyone know the reason why Pronger wants out of Edmonton??Not just because of a BIG market team.Maybe personal??

#11 fan3 says:
June 27, 2006 at 9:23 am

I don’t think that I’d want Pronger…doesn’t he cost like $6M+ a season; he’s not THAT good

#12 Habs#1 says:
June 27, 2006 at 10:52 am

I live in Edmonton and there are two rumors credible rumors from people close to the Oilers are saying that Pronger has asked for a trade because his wife just plain hates living in Canada.

She dosen’t want her kids in the schools here, she hates the weather, the taxes and she isn’t a big shot here. The other reason is apparently that the players hate Mctavish.

A player who was traded from Edmonton said that about half the team hates MacT and dosen’t want to play for him and that includes Pronger.

He won’t be playing for a Canadian team again. The Toronto rumor is bull because the package their offering sucks because Kaberle isn’t that good and the Oilers need a proven bonafied goal scorer. If the Flames can get Tanguay for Leopold amagine what the Oilers could get for Pronger.

#13 Phil says:
June 27, 2006 at 12:11 pm

Toronto rumors are always bull…More wishful thinking by a ignorant press.Like dough head Domi coming to the habs.Give me a break.

#14 kazmojo says:
June 27, 2006 at 5:11 pm

The Flames got Tanguay because the Avs were looking to dump salary. So the Oilers and Pronger are in a bit of a different situation.

As for Pronger and his wife, I heard something similar. And can relate, believe me…

#15 Habs#1 says:
June 27, 2006 at 7:58 pm

News out of Edmonton is that apparently Pronger’s wife gave him the ultimatum that if he didn’t leave Canada she would leave him.

A person in the know has said that since she didn’t come with him at all to Edmonton he got a little to close to a CityTV reporter and they had an affair and she found out.

#16 Gohabs says:
June 27, 2006 at 8:46 pm

I also read on http://www.qnhl.com that this means the end of David Aebischer. Aebischer declared taht he wants a starting goalie, and he won’t be that one in Montreal.
I am happy as all other habs fans that Huet is staying in Montreal.

#17 stevejur says:
June 28, 2006 at 1:17 am

I’m also hearing the same rumor Aebischer + Picks for Martin St. Louis.
Great move! Kovalev finally gets a great winger to play with.
Now let’s go get Jason Arnot between them and a #1 D-Man.

Go Habs Go!

#18 Joshua says:
June 28, 2006 at 2:21 am

uuuugh… St louis never learned how to close his mouth.. it’s open all the time!! (don’t mean he talks much, just that he can’t join his lips)…. also, he’s like 150 cm tall. the canadiens don’t want an underperforming open mouthed midget!

#19 huet's number 1 fan says:
June 28, 2006 at 2:54 pm

Great move on signing huet. A good package would be bulis, zednik, aebischer, ribiero for St.Louis. Kovalev needs someone to play with.

#20 PACTUM SERVA says:
June 28, 2006 at 8:02 pm

bulis is an ufa he is gonna walk

#21 Canadian @heart says:
June 29, 2006 at 11:22 am

I have seen many great teams win the Stanley cup over the years.I have also seen a few not so great teams win the cup. One common factor in Great and not so great winning team is “” Goaltending “”. The Canadians should hold onto their two netminders and cocentrate on picking up some defence and some power forwards. Players who play for the love of the game, they are still to be had.
Lets not forget what happened to Edmonton’s golie Dwyane Roloson in game one of this years finals. Lucky for Edmonton they had a reliable back up, who nearly and would have won the cup had Edmonton come out to play in game seven. Good job Edmonton. Wished it was Montreal in the finals this year,however I was pulling for you guys all the way. Time for the Stanley Cup to come home.
Perferabally to Montreal. #25 Stanley Cup banner would be nice hung in the Bell Center. Their not far off , give the right trades and free agent signings.
I have a lot of confidence in Mr. Gainey and his organization making some good off season moves. Bob Gainey knows what it takes to win the cup, and goaltending is one. Keep the goalies Bob, unless you can bring a seasoned go goaltender to Montreal. I don’t suppose Brodeur would be available!!!

C.J.Bradbury

#22 fan3 says:
June 29, 2006 at 11:00 pm

LOL, ya Brodeur would be sweet but HIGHLY unlikely. I don’t think that Gainey has anything against keeping Abby. The problem is that Abby has said that he wants out if he can’t be the undisputed starter. Didn’t Roy do the same thing before the 2002 Olympics so he didn’t make the team and we won the gold? I don’t blame Abby for wanting to be #1 but you can’t always get what you want.

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Last Message 53 minutes ago

Avatar37 : pressure playing in Montreal, since he has problems with the expectations in Washington and Montreal isn't any easier. Then again, the media were very easy on Kovalev, so maybe it's a Russian thing? No idea. Anyway, yeah, it would have to be an established star that gives us an immediate drastic upgrade at forward, that's the only way I'd trade PK, because we'd be giving up a potential QB on our blueline for the next decade.
Avatar37 : Goalie - Sure, the only player I'd say who is untradeable (meaning I wouldn't trade no matter what) is Carey Price. You build a winning team from the net out, and I don't think there's a better goalie for his age in the NHL than Price, so I wouldn't trade him. Otherwise, every player would be open for offers, but for PK Subban, it would take (for me) an already established star, like Carter or Crosby or Ovechkin. As much as I like Ovechkin, I'm not sure he could handle all the media pre
goalie : I'm not suggesting at all that we judst dump or get rid of PK. I do however believe that he is a very valued commodity in the NHL adn that the Habs will receive offers for his services. If someone ffers us young, strong, puck handling forwards who can score, I think the Habs have to look at that possible trade.
Avatar37 : Agreed. It would be a big mistake to trade PK just to move up 2 spots in the draft. PK, Emelin, and Gorges are the bright future of our defense.
Senet1 : I am with you Avatar, Subban stays, it is not often that you get a stud defenceman who can play 25+ minutes. The mistakes he makes are for the most part not that serious and people forget he is only 23 and been in the league 2 years. He has come a long way in those two years. He has offense, defence and he hits. You cannot bet much better than that. Two more years experience and he has a shot at the Norris. If Markov does anything I hope he teaches PK how to work the PP.
Avatar37 : «link»
Avatar37 : go.
Avatar37 : round exit. Heck, even the year they won the cup we almost took them out in round 1. I believe in the corps of this team, I really think we just need a few tweaks. Adding Larry Robinson to run the defense would be a BIG help, keep Cunneyworth as offensive coach, and get a head coach who can get these guys back on the right path. We need to establish an identity again, a team that won't let itself be pushed around like it was under Martin. A few scrappers on this team and we'll be good to
Avatar37 : Yeah, the only way I'd trade PK is if we were getting an established star in return, like Carter or Crosby. I don't think we're miles away from competing deep into the playoffs, the NHL has become so competitive because of the salary cap that really there aren't huge differences between the teams. Add into the equation the stupid scoring system (some games worth 2 points, some 3) that the standings don't truly reflect where teams should really be. Look at Boston, cup winners to first rou
Senet1 : It would have to be something pretty special before I would trade PK. To me he is the #1 building block of our defence. I would trade any other defenceman we have before I would trade PK.
Senet1 : An improvement in our offense and strengthening our defence. Personally, I do not think we are that far off, five players at best could get us there. One thing that has always been true about the playoffs, Defence wins and you need a strong 3rd and 4th line.
goalie : I'm more optimistic now about the Habs than I have been for the past three dreadfully long seasons!
goalie : 2: I think GM Bergevin will make somewhat of a 'blockbuster't rade either before or on the day of the draft adn I believe PK Subban will be in that package. WE have t rememebr we have to give away some talent to get back other talent. No one wants players like Moen to move up in the draft etc.
goalie : Some thoughts:The more I see the playoffs it becomes even more obvious that we're miles away from being able to 'compete' dep into the playoffs
Avatar37 : «link»
Senet1 : Young Subban might also be an option if the Russian goalie is not available. However, to me I would wait another year and attempt to use my draft 2nd round draft picks to improve out forward situation.
Senet1 : Although Rinne contact is another example of long term at the wrong time. He is 29 years old. A case could be made with Price that double his money now with bonuses if we win the cup, I think that is still allowed in contracts?
Senet1 : Problem is he is going to want Pekka Rinne money and term. That is closer to 7M. On the other hand, the contract could have step up clauses in it over the 7 years.
Avatar37 : With Price, I wouldn't blink twice about offering him a 7 year contract now, especially if he'd be willing to give up dollar value for length. 7 years at $5.5 million a year would be just fine in my book.
Avatar37 : I think the goaltending void in our current system would push me to draft Vasilevski with our second pick, if he was available. He's young and has lots of potential, but is at least 5-6 years away from starting to be ready to play on an NHL roster.
Senet1 : Long tern contracts are a risk, but if you have a super star not as much. Luongo's contract was long term but signed too late in his career.
Avatar37 : Senet - Yes, you were clear in your post, my question was directed at goalie. I'm with you in that I'd be willing to sign him to a 7 year contract. I'd be nervous about anything longer, because every single long term goalie contract I can think of turned out to be a disaster for the team signing it.
Senet1 : I think that Budaj is a better goalie than many give him credit for, is he a Price no but with a tight defence he could be a good goalie. Many teams have average goalies but have great defence and still win. Look at Detroit, for years they have had average goaltending, but won cups. Goalies can get on a roll in the playoffs, look at Huet as an example, he was not really a good goalie but played great in the playoffs, next year he was a wash. Defence makes the goalie a winner, just ask Price.
Senet1 : Having a young equivalent goalie in the system right now is not important, three years from now it will be, so we have three years to make that kind of move in the draft. I think we have more pressing needs aat the moment.
Senet1 : Personally, I do not see this as a negative because of Price's age, you wait to draft a goalie of a Patrick Roy or Brodeur some teams wait a life time. To me we have on so why would we want to not play that out for as long as we can. Bottom line is this, regardless, right now you have a stud goalie, you are either going to pay him the money he deserves for not sign him and lose him. There is no middle of the road here.
goalie : Avatar made a great point. We don't have an NHL or up adn coming NHL goalies in our system. Another great move by Gauthier. Price is sitting very pretty.
goalie : WEll Price has us by the nads. I guess I'd have to go as far as a 7 year contract due to his play adn his age.
Senet1 : Luongo is now 33, he has been a good goaltender for a number of years. I would sign Price for 7 years and at age 31 then we deal with UFA at that time. Hopefully, we could provide him with another 5 years at that time. That is my opinion anyway, I would never risk losing him as a UFA at this point in his career to me that would be a very poor management decision. Even a 10 year contract would put him only at 34 years old. If you are going to sign him to long term now is the time.
Senet1 : If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him a contract that is worthy of his abilities and his potential. It can have escalation clauses or reducing clauses like Kovalchuk's contract.
Senet1 : Avatar, I thought I was clear Yes I would sign him long term. My previous post said. The problem is if you have a out in the contract after 5 years then the player also has an out after 5 years. So no self respected lawyer would accept a contract that did not have equal escape clauses. So no I would not sign only for 5 years, if Price was 28 years old yes but not a 24. Seven years still only makes him 31 when the contract is over. If you have a young stud you have to gamble a little and give him
Avatar37 : Cammalleri trade. Given the fact that we have no NHL starting quality goaltenders in the system currently, aren't we held hostage to having to sign Price?
Avatar37 : There are many bad goalie contracts, just look at Huet. However, your post didn't answer my question as to what you'd do with Price. He's an RFA now, but for argument sake, if he were a UFA, what would you do? If he wanted a 7+ year contract, you know some other team would give him one. Would you risk losing him for nothing because you didn't want to sign a contract over 5 years? And if we lose Price, our goalies are Budaj and Robert Mayer, as we sent Karri Ramo to the Flames in the Cam
goalie : .. a 5 years contract again based upon the experience he has had AND he likes Bobby Lou!
goalie : Ditto for Philly, Ther goaltender 'situations' have both become the number 1 story line for both teams, and in Vancouver one could see the exaspiration on Gillis' adn to some extent Vigneault's faces when continously being bombarded by the loooong term contract that the Canucks are stuct with. (Gillis even said last February or so, thank goodness it looks like more than few other teams will be looking for a starting goaltender for 2012-13. He said he would never again do more than a 5 year c
goalie : I've spent the past four winters in BC thus I am very aware of the Canucks situations. I'd first say I give Gillis adn Vigneault 100% credit for being VERY supportive of Roberto L. even when Corey Schenider has vastly out played him. (I too like Bobby Lou but facts are facts).