I don't see the point having Price start almost all our games at this point... can't be good for his confidence.
I agree to a certain point. It won't be better for his confidence if he shares duties.
But I agree he plays too much right now. Instead of playing 80% of the games (well... I could say 90%), maybe he should play 2 games in 3. The season's over anyway. Let's test Budaj and see what he has in him.
Back in January I figured if you get down to the last 15-20 games and you are completely out of the playoff hunt, play Budaj at least half the time.
Bring Markov back every second game. Sit Campoli and Kaberle. Bring up Freddy St Denis. Play the snot out of Eller, White, Leblanc. Get a look at some kids.
DOn't intentionally tank and lose games but treat the back 20% of a lost season as pure development/evaluation.
Back in January I figured if you get down to the last 15-20 games and you are completely out of the playoff hunt, play Budaj at least half the time.
Bring Markov back every second game. Sit Campoli and Kaberle. Bring up Freddy St Denis. Play the snot out of Eller, White, Leblanc. Get a look at some kids.
DOn't intentionally tank and lose games but treat the back 20% of a lost season as pure development/evaluation.
I've been wondering why they don't try a combination of this. Campoli actually has been on occasion passable the last couple of games, but not in the plans. Bring up St Denis & play him a bit? Is he so far off the pace he wouldn't last?
Regrettably that Kaberle contract is looking like a millstone...though if he peppers the odd point with his otherwise atrocious play, some sucker GM, somewhere...
They should give Budaj 5 to 7 of the last games. Who knows, maybe he'd actually be alright as a backup, but we'll never find out at this rate.
Price really looks frustrated right now, the way this team is playing is disgusting.. So yeah, give Budaj 1\3 of the remainder games, the last thing you want is having your franchise goaltender get seriously injured in a lost cause.. We are basically an AHL team right now, pathetic.. I would like too see Price rested for the rest of the season, and go to the WC ro increase his chance to get selected next olympics..
Price really looks frustrated right now, the way this team is playing is disgusting.. So yeah, give Budaj 1\3 of the remainder games, the last thing you want is having your franchise goaltender get seriously injured in a lost cause.. We are basically an AHL team right now, pathetic.. I would like too see Price rested for the rest of the season, and go to the WC ro increase his chance to get selected next olympics..
I don't think he is frustrated. It looks more like he is completly exhausted physically and mentally. We should really playing Budaj more and give him more rest.
I don't think he is frustrated. It looks more like he is completly exhausted physically and mentally. We should really playing Budaj more and give him more rest.
Another one of many examples of why this mgmt team needs to go, and quickly. Budaj signs for more money than Auld, yet Auld played 16 games last season, and Budaj is on pace to play 10. They in essence paid more money for a goalie they would use less than the guy they didn't want. Competent mgmt would have signed a competent back up to alleviate the pressure of playing goal in MONTREAL. Lundqvist 49 games this year, Biron 17 games. That's how you do it.
They should split it 50/50 for the rest of the season. Give Price some rest so he won't be too tired for the Worlds and give Budaj some confidence for next year.
They should split it 50/50 for the rest of the season.
Fully agreed. There's no need to work Price into the ground for this lost cause of a season.
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Give Price some rest so he won't be too tired for the Worlds and give Budaj some confidence for next year.
But it's not the Habs' job to rest their players so they can fly off to Europe and play in the consolation-prize tourney for NHL playoff busts. Price's workload should be reduced just because there's no need to play him like crazy for nothing, no need to risk injury. The last thing we want is for him to pull a groin now.
I personally don't care if Price goes to the worlds.
I'm guessing Price himself is the one who wants to play as many games as he can. There's no logical reason for anyone else - coach or management - to put him in that position. If he made even the slightest peep about being tired, they'd be using Budaj.
