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Looking at Goalies...A New Member of the Team

September 9, 2008, 1:03 PM ET [ Comments]
Habs Talk
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As is the case with good every hockey team, the keys to success this year are in the hands of able goaltenders. Here’s a look at what to expect from Carey Price, Jaroslav Halak, and Marc Denis:

Carey Price: Cap Hit: 2,200,000$.

After storming into the NHL with an impressive 7-game winning streak, Carey Price made an emphatic statement that he was ready for the pressure and challenge of being Montreal’s top netminder. Posting a 24-12-3 record, 3 shutouts, a .920 SA% and a 2.56 GAA, Price was a standout among rookie goalies, amazing teammates, coaches, and fans in the process. After remarkable victories in the first round of the playoffs, Price struggled against the Flyers, as the team dropped 4 straight games for the first time all season. One of best things you could say about Price last season was that he finished 2nd overall in the Molson Cup standings, which means the only player in Montreal to receive more “3 Stars” selections was Alex Kovalev. Only four teams gave up more shots than the Canadiens last season; another reason Price’s numbers are nothing to snicker at.

Needless to say, the pressure is even greater than last year. Price’s weak performance against Philadelphia brought on several questions regarding his injury status, his energy level, and his ability to handle immense pressure. After the Canadiens dismissal from the playoffs, it was announced that Price wasn’t suffering from anything more than bumps and bruises. The regular season, and 7 games against Boston proved how mentally resilient Price is, and countered the argument that he succumbed to the pressure. Losing 20 lbs in the offseason speaks to his energy level towards the end of the post-season. A lightning-quick Price has become lighter and consequently more agile, and is obviously committed to having more energy for the entire preseason, season, and postseason.

A great year for Carey Price would be: At least 50 starts, at least 30 wins, better than a 9.20 SA%, and a 2.56 GAA. If Price starts as hot as he did last year, chances are good that he could be skating on January 25th, when Montreal hosts the All-Star Weekend. It’ll be important for Price to get off on the right foot, as the pessimists are already questioning his supposed potential to be Montreal’s next savior. Outside of disappointing Price, anything less than 45 starts, and 25 wins would be a disaster for this Montreal team, which most have predicted to finish on top of the Eastern Conference once again.

Jaroslav Halak: Cap Hit: 770,000$.

As the AHL’s best goalie throughout the last two seasons, Halak worked very hard to earn a spot in Montreal. After an impressive stint in 2006-07 that saw Halak win 10 important games down the stretch, the club fell short of the playoffs by two points. A controversial decision to bench the hot Halak for the deciding game in Toronto in favor of starter Cristobal Huet, who was returning from an extensive break on the injury reserve list, was tough for Jaroslav to digest. After impressing all of Montreal, Halak was sent to the World Championships as Gainey insisted Price be brought into Hamilton’s playoff run. Price stole the show in Hamilton, and with that, leapfrogged Halak in the depth chart. A frustrated Halak did everything he could to make it back to Montreal, and was given his ticket when Cristobal Huet was sent packing to Washington. Nonetheless, Halak was hardly counted on in the latter half of the season, getting 3 starts in which he went 2-1-1, posting a .934 SA%. He saw one game of playoff action against the Flyers; a decision he lost. Through his short professional career he’s proven he’s a talented goalie, who’s technically sound. There are still plenty of questions about whether he can handle the pressure of playing on the road, and whether he has what it takes to push Price. It’s also commonly known that with Marc Denis (an established NHL goalie) behind him, Halak could easily become trade-bait at some point this season.

A great year for Jaroslav Halak would be: At least 25 games, 15 wins, a SA% over .900, and a GAA under 2.75. It would be terribly disappointing to lose his position to Marc Denis before, or at any point during the regular season. Not getting a chance to prove himself in Montreal could turn Halak into a flight risk (Russia), or he’ll almost certainly demand to be traded. A great camp will give Halak the edge, and perhaps even allow him to push Price out of more games. A bad camp, and rough start will almost certainly spell the end of Halak’s career in Montreal.

Marc Denis: Cap Hit: If he plays in the NHL: 600,000$. He’s on a two-way contract.

Playing the last couple of seasons with Tampa Bay, and Norfolk of the American Hockey League has taken its toll on Denis’ once promising career. Obviously excited by the prospect of coming home to Montreal, Denis will do his best to revive his career in Hamilton this season. The Canadiens are certainly hoping he can push Jaroslav Halak in training camp, and Denis is hoping that with a GAA well under 3, and a SA% over .900 he can climb his way back up to the big leagues. It’s going to take a major rededication to the basics for Denis to gain the type of confidence you need to win in the NHL. As Eric Perrin (former Lightning forward, now with the Atlanta Thrashers) put it to me before last summer, John Tortorella really did a number on Marc Denis’ confidence. Perrin felt Denis never got a proper shake in Tampa, so perhaps having a supportive staff here in Montreal, headed by Roland Melanson, will be the key to Denis getting his game back up to a respectable level.

A great year for Marc Denis would be: Pushing Jaroslav Halak out of the backup position at some point this season. It would be disappointing for Denis to not make it up to the NHL at all this season.
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So I may have caused a bit of a stir on the message boards yesterday with my impending announcement for today’s blog. No it’s not Mats Sundin, nor does it have anything to do with Gainey’s contingency plans.

I’m extremely proud to announce that I’ll be hosting the Habs pregame and postgame shows on Montreal’s Sports Authority, The Team 990 (990 AM here in Montreal) on weekends. I look forward to a chance for us to connect on the airways!

I will also continue my work as a reporter for XM Radio, NHL Home Ice-Channel 204 throughout the season, giving pre and postgame analysis.

We’re ten days away from training camp…100 years to celebrate…an Allstar weekend…the best team the Canadiens have iced in 20 years…the NHL Entry Draft. It’s time to get excited!!!
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