Was fairly suprised to see Khabibulin got the call last night even after Huet struggled in the first game.
I thought Khabibulin was all but done in Chicago. Are they going to hold onto the goalie tandem all year? The transfer of his contract to Russia didn't work out? Are they actively trying to trade him around the NHL? Re-entry Waivers an option?
Huet hasnt impressed me at all thus far...not in the preseason, and definetely not in the first game of the season....Khabby looked sharper....its just that the Hawks are playing the same exact system they had last year....once ahead....they only try to protect the lead...not expend it...which hasnt worked last year, and it sure as hell is not working this year....they simply gave up after the 1st, and a goalie cant carry a team for a whole game, the team needs to be creating some offense, which the Hawks are not.....I say Khabby gets the nod against nashville, he seemed more ready then Huet did.....
Huet hasnt impressed me at all thus far...not in the preseason, and definetely not in the first game of the season....Khabby looked sharper....its just that the Hawks are playing the same exact system they had last year....once ahead....they only try to protect the lead...not expend it...which hasnt worked last year, and it sure as hell is not working this year....they simply gave up after the 1st, and a goalie cant carry a team for a whole game, the team needs to be creating some offense, which the Hawks are not.....I say Khabby gets the nod against nashville, he seemed more ready then Huet did.....
I agree. The biggest problem is the coach and management. You can get high draft picks and sign high-priced free agents, but winning starts with management.
Huet hasnt impressed me at all thus far...not in the preseason, and definetely not in the first game of the season....Khabby looked sharper....its just that the Hawks are playing the same exact system they had last year....once ahead....they only try to protect the lead...not expend it...which hasnt worked last year, and it sure as hell is not working this year....they simply gave up after the 1st, and a goalie cant carry a team for a whole game, the team needs to be creating some offense, which the Hawks are not.....I say Khabby gets the nod against nashville, he seemed more ready then Huet did.....
Young teams are prone to giving up leads (more forechecking and less space/time to make decisions when the other team decides to mount a comeback). It's a common compliant of fans of teams full of kids/rookies.
More like .893 save percentage this year. What have you done for me lately?
Goalies go in streaks and slumps... right now Huet is in the latter. So if I'm Savvy, I run with Khabby until he falters (I know some people will say that he lost his first game but he stood on his head and we never gave him a chance to win).
Good goalies' slumps are just shorter and happen less often. Hopefully Huet will snap out of this quickly!
I don't feel any better with one than the other so far - neither have been spectacular. Huet made some good saves vs Nashville but let a few by. Strangely familiar to Khabi's underwhelming starts last year.. and I'm not convinced Khabi can be much better this year.
I suppose we'll see Savard keep alternating the two until one is the 'hot hand.'
Sometimes players and teams should realize when they have it good and give some thought to the idea that they are successful because its the right fit for them. TB killed themselves by not keeping Khabibulin. Huet finally was in a situation where he was the unquestioned #1 and had some tangible success to rely on.
Huet removed himself from his charmed existance and looks more like the fairy tale pumpkin all the time. Not that he is bad. He is not. He's just not the guy that was a world beater in Washington last season.
All that said, I think its important to show a little patience. Your young hockey team is under pressure to win for the first time. Its supposed to be a breakout season for your guys, but the season starts with the coach on the hot seat before the puck gets dropped.
Sometimes players and teams should realize when they have it good and give some thought to the idea that they are successful because its the right fit for them. TB killed themselves by not keeping Khabibulin. Huet finally was in a situation where he was the unquestioned #1 and had some tangible success to rely on.
Huet removed himself from his charmed existance and looks more like the fairy tale pumpkin all the time. Not that he is bad. He is not. He's just not the guy that was a world beater in Washington last season.
All that said, I think its important to show a little patience. Your young hockey team is under pressure to win for the first time. Its supposed to be a breakout season for your guys, but the season starts with the coach on the hot seat before the puck gets dropped.
Give it a little time to settle in.
Right.
A guy that has one of the 3 best save percentages since the lockout in the NHL, a top 10 GAA, two playoff appearances, an All-Star appearance and the Roger Crozier Saving Grace award is a fairy tale pumpkin. Oh, and shall I mention he's at the top of the league in statistical categories year in and year out?
Hawks fans: Huet is a slow starter, it's always been like this with him, and it didn't help he played the Rangers, a team he's always struggled against in his career to kick off his Hawks career.
A guy that has one of the 3 best save percentages since the lockout in the NHL, a top 10 GAA, two playoff appearances, an All-Star appearance and the Roger Crozier Saving Grace award is a fairy tale pumpkin. Oh, and shall I mention he's at the top of the league in statistical categories year in and year out?
Hawks fans: Huet is a slow starter, it's always been like this with him, and it didn't help he played the Rangers, a team he's always struggled against in his career to kick off his Hawks career.
Wow, it would take a second round pick to acquire a goalie that good.
Wow, it would take a second round pick to acquire a goalie that good.
You have no idea what was going on at the deadline, there was no market for any goalie, Bryzgalov was gotten for free, Huet was an impending UFA that Gainey wanted to move to have Price gain experience (mistake, but anyway).
A rental really usually costs a LOT, right...?
And Funny, everything I enumerated, Huet has achieved...as proved by his contract too, he is really THAT good.
You have no idea what was going on at the deadline, there was no market for any goalie, Bryzgalov was gotten for free, Huet was an impending UFA that Gainey wanted to move to have Price gain experience (mistake, but anyway).
A rental really usually costs a LOT, right...?
And Funny, everything I enumerated, Huet has achieved...as proved by his contract too, he is really THAT good.
No, he really isn't. Huet is not a top 20 goalie in this league. This year will prove that and I'm quire sure that Khabibulin will take over the number 1 spot.
No, he really isn't. Huet is not a top 20 goalie in this league. This year will prove that and I'm quire sure that Khabibulin will take over the number 1 spot.
agreed
goalies that good.....teams dont give up on. hes on his 3rd team in as many months of hockey...
tallon tried to jump the gun and beat the 09 FA market for when khabi's contract is up. this coming year there are no goalies of worth to replace Khabi, outside of Backstrom.
if tallon didnt get huet....and assume backstrom sticks with minni...we'd go from gluttony of goaltending to absolutely nothing
If Khabby wins the job, or at least a large share of the job, does Tallon keep his ?
Yes! Because obviously without his genius move of signing a second number one goalie over the summer, Khabby wouldn't have been motivated enough to play so well! GENIUS!!!
A guy that has one of the 3 best save percentages since the lockout in the NHL, a top 10 GAA, two playoff appearances, an All-Star appearance and the Roger Crozier Saving Grace award is a fairy tale pumpkin. Oh, and shall I mention he's at the top of the league in statistical categories year in and year out?
Hawks fans: Huet is a slow starter, it's always been like this with him, and it didn't help he played the Rangers, a team he's always struggled against in his career to kick off his Hawks career.
Completely agreed. Also it's a new city, conference, and team so he needs time to adjust.
No, he really isn't. Huet is not a top 20 goalie in this league. This year will prove that and I'm quire sure that Khabibulin will take over the number 1 spot.
You've always hated Huet on the Habs board, so your ignorance of how he's a good goalie doesn't shock me.
