Cristobal Huet

'07-08 Stats                      Age (on October 1): 33                  Contract: UFA

'07-08 Season Report

Huet's season began with the Montreal Canadiens as the #1 goaltender. But arguably the NHL's top goaltending prospect, Carey Price, was waiting in the wings. After a couple rough outings midway throught the season, Price was sent back to the minors and the job looked to be Huet's for the remainder of the season until becoming an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

But in a rather stunning move, GM Bob Gainey decided to make the move to send Huet to Washington for a second round pick. The pick used was acquired from Anaheim earlier in the year as part of  the Brian Sutherby trade, so essentially George McPhee traded Sutherby for Huet. Just so you know, Sutherby finished the season with just 1 goal and 1 assist (not typos) in 55 games including the playoffs. Not a bad deal, eh?

Anyways, Huet came in and shared time with Olie Kolzig for the first couple weeks. Then it became obvious that the Capitals were in need of a win every game the rest of the way. But Olie and the Caps were embarrassed in a 5-0 loss in Chicago during this stretch. Huet would not be on the bench the rest of the way as the Capitals rode him to an unprecedented finish to secure a playoff spot on the final day of the season. How good was Huet? How does 11-2 with a 1.63 GAA and .936 SV% in the regular season with Washington sound?

Huet was taken advantage of early in the playoffs as the Flyers were taking liberties in the crease and were recipients of non-call after non-call. Huet appeared off his game early in the series as a result but once the Capitals defense began keeping the crease clear, Huet's play improved -- though it ended up being just a bit too little, too late.

Intangibles

Prior to this season, Huet had only one round of playoff experience -- a six game loss. But the Flyers series this year is the kind that can really harden a goaltender for the grind that is known as the NHL Playoffs. The physicality Huet endured was at a whole other level than what goalies experience during the regular season. Add having to come back from a 3-1 deficit to force Game 7 and Huet gained a couple years of playoff experience in a couple weeks.

If he does sign, the locker room can rest in knowing who the number one guy is. You'd have to imagine things were tense at times with the players seeing Kolzig on the bench game after game. That's a distraction that certainly can't help a team unite toward one goal. Farewell, distraction.

Future Fit

With Kolzig's recent decision not to return to the Capitals next season, the door is so wide open to sign Huet it's about to fall of the hinges. The Capitals also have Brent Johnson under contract for next season so signing Huet would provide the Capitals with a solid 1-2 tandem in net. While the Capitals are likely to shell out the money it would take to keep Huet, the one factor that could cause a problem is the length that Huet may seek.

This is Huet's first (and only) chance at getting a "career contract" so he will likely be looking for a deal in the 5 year range. With prospects Semen Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth, and Daren Machesney waiting in the wings and likely less than 3 years away from making an impact at the NHL level, it probably would not make sense signing Huet for more than 3 or 4 years.

If Huet signs, and at the moment there is no indication that he will or won't, the Capitals should be set in goal for a couple of playoff runs over the next few seasons. Huet has proven himself to be a top 10 goaltender in this league -- able to carry a team on his back for an extended period of time. But again, he's gotta sign first.