Testing the Waters
When is there not a goalie controversy in Montreal?
Considering the fact that this debate is practically eternal in “La Belle Province,” one has to wonder if it will ever end?
Will the Montreal Canadiens ever land on a solid, consistent and, more important than anything else, consensus choice as their number one goaltender?
Not since the days of Patrick Roy has this franchise actually had the ability to clearly say they knew who their choice in nets on any given night would be.
Then again, there haven’t exactly been too many goalies quite like St.Patrick since Roy retired pre-lockout.
Comparisons to the legendary Habs netminder aside, the Canadiens have run the gamut when it comes to starting netminders since they traded away Patrick during the 1995-96 season.
In order, since Patrick’s departure, here is the list of netminders who have played for the Montreal Canadiens:
1995-96: Patrick Roy, Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Pat Jablonski, Patrick Labrecque
1996-97: Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Pat Jablonski
1997-98: Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Andy Moog
1998-99: Jose Theodore, Jocelyn Thibault, Jeff Hackett, Frederic Chabot,
1999–00: Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett
2000-01: Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett, Mathieu Garon
2001–02: Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett, Mathieu Garon, Stephane Fiset, Olivier Michaud
2002–03: Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett, Mathieu Garon
2004–05: NHL lockout
2005–06: Cristobal Huet, Jose Theodore, David Aebischer, Yann Danis
2006–07: Cristobal Huet, David Aebischer, Yann Danis, Jaroslav Halak, Michael Leighton
2007–08: Cristobal Huet, Carey Price, Jaroslav Halak
2008–09: Carey Price, Jaroslav Halak, Marc Denis
2009–10: Jaroslav Halak, Carey Price
As you can see, only twice in the last 15 years have the Canadiens boasted a two goalie tandem that has even remotely come close to matching the days of when Roy guarded the Habs net.
Hopes hinged greatly on Jose Theodore for a great while, yet in the midst of Jose hitting his apparent prime, the Montreal Canadiens once again turned in a new direction when they drafted Carey Price.
Ironically, Price’s anointing as the Canadiens’ saviour may have been a bit premature as the Habs have also seen the emergence of one of their later round picks, Jaroslav Halak.
Over the last two seasons, the two young goaltenders have duelled it out for the rite to be regarded as the number one, yet, as we draw near the end of their second full season together, it’s clear to see that yet again, the Montreal Canadiens have a goaltending debate on their hands.
Last season, Price was handed the keys to kingdom and told to run with them as far as he could take the team. Unfortunately for Carey, the Canadiens self imploded following a series of selfish acts and events that derailed Montreal’s hopes for a Stanley Cup to cap their Centennial celebrations.
This season has turned out slightly differently as the Habs continued to struggle in front of Price and shine in front of Halak.
It must be something in the water, but this season, when it comes to deciding who should start in nets, it seems that the rest of the team has preferred Halak.
Jaroslav has had a terrific season, but a major reason for his success in the Canadiens net has to do with the fact that the team has averaged approximately 3 goals per game for him.
Carey hasn’t been quite as lucky as his team-mates have consistently failed to deliver any offensive output for him this season, averaging a meagre 2.3 goals per game.
With that kind of difference in production, it’s clear to see that one goaltender is working better than the other.
But does that actually mean that one goaltender is better than the other?
For a long time the answer has been no, but following the way this season has turned out, compounded on top of last year’s results, it certainly makes for an interesting debate.
Carey Price
GP: 41
W: 13
L: 20
OT: 5
GA: 109
SA: 1244
SV : 1135
Sv% : .912
GAA : 2.77
SO : 0
PIM : 8
Min: 2358
Price has a long way to go in his development, but many people in the NHL, and especially in Montreal, seem to be anxious for him to develop at a sky-rocketing pace.
In my opinion, Price is on the right track. He could have done with more time in Hamilton developing his game, but that was a decision that was made long ago and cannot be undone. As such, Carey has done well dealing with the trials and tribulations that come along with being known as the future savior of the franchise.
In Price’s defense, he has earned numerous milestones during his rookie contract and is still regarded as a premiere netminder with “franchise player” potential.
So why jump ship on the kid so quickly?
Goaltenders take a lot longer to develop into stars than any other position, just ask Ryan Miller.
Jaroslav Halak
GP: 40
W: 24
L: 12
OT: 3
GA: 94
SA: 1220
SV : 1126
Sv% : .923
GAA : 2.43
SO : 3
PIM : 0
Min: 2323
Jaro just so happens to be the wrench in the gears.
His incredible development is the sole reason why the Canadiens have found themselves smack dab in the middle of yet another goaltending controversy, yet, in the end, it’s really not a bad thing.
Not many teams in the NHL can boast such a quality tandem, especially not one as young.
Halak has toiled through his development in the minor levels, paying his dues on his way up the ladder, yet at every level along the way, Jaro has been recognized as the top goaltender in his league, time and time again.
In contrast to Carey, Jaro has enjoyed, and been allowed, the opportunity to take his time developing his game in the ECHL and the AHL. This time has done wonders for Jaro’s confidence and his presence in between the pipes.
The defining statement of Halak’s development lies in the fact that he was the sole reason why Team Slovakia had a chance to fight for a Bronze Medal in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
Halak’s rise to success has not been as closely examined or watched as Price’s, but his game has given rise to a serious question about which direction the Montreal Canadiens franchise will head in.
So, Who would you choose?
It’s all going to come down to what happens in the playoffs.
If Halak comes through and takes the Canadiens beyond where they are expected to go, expect the team to reward him and retain his services.
At the same time, any slip-ups or meltdowns under pressure will only further re-assure Pierre Gauthier and his staff that re-inking Carey Price will be the right way to go.
In both circumstances, the result is likely having the other shipped off for a plethora of goods, but what if you could keep both?
Would keeping Price and Halak even be possible?
Chances are extremely slim that that will be the case, but if it could be done, that might very well be the team’s best option.
Choosing which one of these goalies is going to the best option for the next 5 years is unbelievably difficult considering either of these goalies could hit a wall or exceed expectations.
It’s a tough choice, but what would you do?
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