I've heard the world of Budaj as a teammate and positive presence, but I'm at a loss as to what we see in him. He hasn't been able to handle pressure situations in Colorado very well, and he's got a very average .901 career save percentage.
So he's not going to be playing a lot, and if he does, we might be cooked.
Just seems like so much unnecessary risk. Can you imagine relying on him if Price goes down?
I've heard the world of Budaj as a teammate and positive presence, but I'm at a loss as to what we see in him. He hasn't been able to handle pressure situations in Colorado very well, and he's got a very average .901 career save percentage.
So he's not going to be playing a lot, and if he does, we might be cooked.
Just seems like so much unnecessary risk. Can you imagine relying on him if Price goes down?
If price goes down we're cooked anyway. Better to get a lottery pick than a 8-12 pick
"Playing in Montreal is a childhood dream for me. It's a great city with amazing fans," revealed Budaj, a six-year NHL veteran. "This is a young team that is competitive and knocking on the door year after year. I'm certain that in a few years this team will get to the level it's trying to reach."
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"I will always have a special connection to Colorado, but this is an excellent opportunity and good challenge for me. In Montreal, hockey is always No. 1. There is no other city that gets more fired up about hockey than Montreal," explained Budaj, who picked up his education in Habs 101 from the likes of teammates Patrice Brisebois, Jose Theodore, Ian Laperierre and fellow countryman Jaroslav Halak. "I've only played here before in junior so I'm really looking forward to playing at the Bell Centre in front of this crowd."
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"I expect to come to Montreal at the end of the month to start settling in. For now I intend to continue my offseason training in Colorado. I really enjoy training at the high altitude during the summer. It helps my overall conditioning,"
If price goes down we're cooked anyway. Better to get a lottery pick than a 8-12 pick
Well you know what I mean.
I would've rather taken a Garon or Giguere (didn't intentionally pick two Francos there ). Budaj has never handled the load of a #1 well, those guys have.
I would've rather taken a Garon or Giguere (didn't intentionally pick two Francos there ). Budaj has never handled the load of a #1 well, those guys have.
Not many are interested in spending 72 games sitting on the bench.
I would've rather taken a Garon or Giguere (didn't intentionally pick two Francos there ). Budaj has never handled the load of a #1 well, those guys have.
Or even Auld who probably would have been better/cheaper. But I don't see the reasoning for Budaj, he quickly sank in Col and lost the starter's job.
Budaj has played on a very bad Avalanche team. They have finished bottom 3 in the NHL in two of the last three seasons. He's our backup and a slight upgrade over Auld....also a bit younger. Everyone should chill.
But Budaj is a friend of Jaroslav Halak, a fellow Slovak who battled Price for the No. 1 job in 2009-10 before Canadiens management traded him to St. Louis for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.
"He told me Carey was a great competitor and a great goalie, but nothing specific," said Budaj.
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"I know the situation and that (Price) had an amazing year last year," he said. "I'll focus on what I can do and how I can contribute. When I get a chance to play I'll try to be ready and play the best I can."
I really don't care much to be honest. We have a goalie that can play 60+ games, its quite normal the backup isn't of the best quality. As long as he's average and gives the team a chance to win in most games he play then we'll do fine.
Maybe Garon, Boucher or even Auld didn't want to play 20 games at most?
I'm going to assume it's below average to be safe. Can't really comment on Budaj, haven't seen him play enough. Hopefully he can be a good back-up here, he doesn't need to steal games, just play well enough to win.
The comments that just compare stats between Auld and Budaj are just lol. Thats like comparing Lolongo's stats from when he was an Islander.
Budaj had the league's worst defense in front of him night after night. Yes, Colorado's D was worse then the Islanders or Florida. By a mile. Why else do you think they traded some of their promising young forwards for young d-men like Johnson?
Budaj will do fine, and is better suited to starting 4-5 games in a row (should the need arise) then Auld was. Not alot better suited, but a bit. Auld hasn't done that in ages.
And Price WILL be starting 70 games again. He proved last year and in the playoffs that he can handle the workload, so I see no reason why they wouldn't play him the same way again.
Well Price comments for starters. At the end of the season, when asked how he was seeing the next season as far as number of starts and all, he didn't answer something like "Well, I like to be busy and I hope I continue at the same pace". He did say something like "Well, we'll re-evaluate and see what's best for the team", which to me says a lot about the fact that either he or somebody said to him that a little less games might be better in order for him to be fresher in the playoffs. Still just a guess. 'Cause why not keep Auld? What's the point of spending a little more and not only that but give 2 years to a guy you want to give 10 games to? Surely not to take over if Price is hurt 'cause if so, anybody who has seen games last year would have gone with Garon.....not Budaj.
I don't really like the signing. Its a pretty big gamble that wasn't necessary. Should have either resigned Auld or went with somone like Conklin who's a proven backup who had a bad year.
I don't like Budaj either, but at least he has a bunch of #1 experience, even if it was Colorado. This is a lateral move, as far as I'm concerned, but I liked Auld too so I may end up tasting my own foot. Time will tell.
). Budaj has never handled the load of a #1 well, those guys have.
