What next for Huet?
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Have we seen the last of Cristobal Huet?
That’s up to Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville to decide after another rough outing for Huet Thursday night in an embarrassing 8-3 loss to the Blue Jackets.
Do we have a new goalie controversy – for the backup job to Antti Niemi between Huet and Corey Crawford?
Don’t dismiss the possibility of the Hawks sending Huet to Rockford to work on his game and promoting Crawford for perhaps another start in the last nine games.
Making his first start since March 13, Huet was pulled at 14:17 of the second period after allowing 5 goals on 20 shots. He came back to start the third period only because the game was out of hand (6-1) and Quenneville wanted to get the veteran some work.
Huet wound up giving up 7 goals on 27 shots and after the game sounded like a beaten man who had lost all his confidence.
"I'm not going to look for any excuses or anything," Huet said. "It was just bad, really.
“Maybe it's time to look back on what I've done in my career and focus on that and work hard, obviously.”
The Hawks didn't play great in front of Huet, but at least 2 of the first 5 goals he allowed were soft. Mike Commodore scored just 32 seconds into the game from a bad angle on the goalline right on a shot that went in off Huet's skate.
After Jakub Voracek scored on a penalty shot at 11:02 of the second period, Huet was pulled minutes later after he let Antoine Vermette beat him high to the glove side with a wrist shot from the far left circle.
Quenneville said on Wednesday he hoped to know his starting goalie for the playoffs by the final five games.
Quenneville already knows it's going to be Niemi so all the talk of there still being a competition can stop.
Is it me or have Bolland and Burish been terrible since returning? I do not see them contributing anything. What do you think?
Tim wht would Q pull Huet and then put him back in? You said he was put back in to get more work.If thats true why not leave him in the nets to begin with since the game was out of reach? Just a fan who is curious Tim.Went to the Rockfors game last night and Crawfors playes a very good game i thought.
It certainly would be interesting to be a party to the discussion between Blackhawks management and Monsieur Huet regarding options going forward.
If the Hawks were to waive Huet and send him to the minors (Rockford or even, say, Toledo), his entire $5.625 annual cap hit comes off the books, according to Wikipedia's entry which cites the NHLPA CBA.
Would Huet accept that type of demotion?
The Markus Naslund case is of interest. The Rangers had signed Naslund to a two year $8 million dollar deal, and Naslund was set to collect $3 million for the second year (as the 1st year was front loaded). The Rangers could have bought him out at a cost of $3 million over two seasons. This, according to TSN.
Instead, Naslund announced his retirement, and subsequently went to play in Europe. This saved the Rangers $4MM immediately.
No details are available as to whether or not Naslund was 'incentivized' to retire.
Given the history of backroom dealing in the NHL, one wonders how the Huet drama will play out.
Would you retire being owed over $10 million over the next two years?? Don't think so!
Rockford begins their playoffs shortly. I really don't think Crawford for Huet is an option at this point. There fore I expect Huet to get 1 or 2 more starts and then cross all your fingers.
Look at the standings...4 teams seperated by 2 points. Should be one helluva finish in the coming two weeks.
It looks like season close out Hawks/Wings will have seeding implications. Flames are done!
Wondering why you think that Bogiedoc? Imo Crawford would be a better back to Niemmi then Huet.just wondering why you think Huet would be better?
There's a rationale for sending Huet down and no offense to Hogs fans, but their playoffs should not enter in to it. They are the farm team.
Further, I kinda suspect Huet would do a decent job down there, regardless of Thursday night.
But I also have to say what he's saying and Q's saying make me kinda doubt they're gonna send him down. If I had to bet, he'll get another start or two in Chicago, no Crawford, or Crawford likely would be up by now. But they could also send Huet down for 2-3 games. It's only 90 miles away. And their next three games, starting tonight, are at home.
Personally, I don't care who the backup is as long as we have the best guy. Before Thursday, I would have said that's Huet. If he has a couple of decent outings before the playoffs, I'd be comfortable assuming he's got something back, enough, to be the backup.
But, they NEED to commit to Niemi as #1 and then do what's necessary to have the best #2, even if that's sending Huet down til April 5 and then bringing him back up. Or going with Crawford at that point. Period.
According to Lyle Richardson, Tim wrote a blog last July which suggested Tallon was trying to trade Huet while making an offer to Khabibulin.
Apparently Huet was being pitched to Edmonton.
Presumedly the offer to Khabby was of the one-year variety, which would explain how and why the Oilers swept in and snagged Nik for three million bucks off the annual retail price.
Since then, Stan Bowman has put a positive spin on having to keep Huet, which is really all he could do while hoping Cris would find his game again (and hoping he could find a trading partner).
Huet's precipitous decline is a carbon copy of what happened to Martin Gerber in Ottawa.
Maybe Monsieur Huet will do the organization a favor and retire this summer, following in the footsteps of a certain Markus Naslund.
Otherwise, a very expensive and/or creative solution will have to be found.
I will defend Q when it comes to the line dancing he has done at times. How can we get angry with him for changing the lines when we are down 8-1?! The team looked like death on ice. If we as fans are going to be that petty and pick on that aspect after that game, it is stupid. The only times he starts changing lines is when the team isn't playing well. I have never seen him do much when we are up 4-2 or anything like that. Sure lines need to play together and jell, but if they are sleepwalking then by all means switch it up.
I think we are all in agreement that Huet just won't be able to get it done. Not sure Crawford can be brought up before the playoffs without having to clear waivers (he was an emergency recall last week therefore not subject to waivers). Even if it is Toivonen, bring him up to be the backup. Pass Huet on waivers to play in the minors a bit. Take the pressure off for a little while and see if he can get back to being an average goalie. Who knows we may have to use him later. Not like the salary cap space can help us now. Even next year I would rather not buy his contract out. We can't do that as close to the cap as we are. Pay his salary as he plays in the minors. As much money as the Rocky and McD are bringing in that shouldn't be a big thing.
Some interesting posts on the effect that the soft goals by the Frog effects the team. That certainly could have affected the team last night, but it doesn't explain everything since the Olympic break.
I've been saying all year that the Hawks simply cannot allow The Frog to be their playoff goalie because of the soft goals he so frequently allows. Fortunately, Q can't ignore it anymore.
And if the Hawks send him to the minors, doesn't that take his salary off the books for cap purposes?
He'd have to clear waivers. I don't think there is a team on planet Earth that would claim him though and end this nightmare. ;)
Grreat post Aztec short sweet to the point and very TRUE!
Both Leighton and Emery are out with serious injuries.
And no way
I don't think the Flyers are willing to do this. Also, I don't belive they would have the cap room. I'll double check that though.
Grinder makes some real good points. Restate and add a few more....
1. Sharp needs to get his shots on net....he misses high or wide...way to often
2. Hossa on the point with the PP? That is beyond dumb!!
3. What's up with Johnnson? Is it a concussion?
4. Do we miss Cambell...some...but Hawks were playing up and down before his injury.
5. How about new puck absorbing pads for Niemi....D-men need to be aware of the rebounds he gives up.
6. The line juggling of 2, 3 and 4 needs to stop.
7. Concentrate on good, intense despite the score...stay with it.
8. Keep Niemi healthy....or....don't want to think about that!
Good post bogie
So I'll just hammer in one of your points. The line juggling is getting ridiculous. All team sports revolve around momentum, cohesion, and getting to know individual tendancies of teammates to form the greater sum. Q needs to cut the line juggling out. It's getting ridiculous. It's almost like making a trade every other game for a new player to the line. As soon as they get used to the new addition, bam he's gone the next game.
If Q continues to start Huet after last night (I suggest its time to bring Crawford up now to get him ready for the playoffs) then there is something wrong with him. Between the constant line juggling and goofyness going on with the two goaltenders I think Q is starting to lose his marbles.
As most of you have seen since I've been here (December), I'm not one to think I'm brighter than GM's or coaches. Nor do I believe so at any point. However this stuff has me perplexed, because their reasonings for doing so are not producing results. Logically you would think they would then at least attempt to stop the juggling and see if the results are better after a stretch of games? Right?
I still have a ton of faith in these guys, better to hit this crappy rut now, then in a couple weeks!
Which isn't too bad over 2 years. If I recall, a buyout doesn't diminish a cap hit. (Is Curtis Brown still on the payroll?) I doubt we could trade Huet for another toxic asset, seeing how it's easier to have a forward with a contract like that than one of two netminders.
One thing, Huet needs to be on the bench in the playoffs. Not just in case something happens to Niemi, but you want a veteran (no matter how shaky) to talk to on the bench, etc. You don't want that vet to be Patrick Roy, because he has rings in his ears and can't hear anything.
Overall I'm not worried. About the powerplay at home, yes. But teams with better goalies than Niemi have gone out in the first round. The Cup favorite has to be the Caps, and that's with Varlamov and Theodore in net. I now expect an avalanche of stats about rookie netminders, blah blah blah. No, Niemi's not Dryden or Roy, but Hextall made it to the finals his rookie year, right? And once you get there, anything goes. We just need to teach Niemi 8-game-suspension-worthy slashing with a goal stick.
It would be $1.875 million a year OVER FOUR YEARS against the cap. Still a lot for a cap-strapped team. But doable.
The puck does not stop untill it's past huet. WOW. Coach Q, if you have to let the higher ups run this team, then get the &%$ out. You are the %$3 coach. If they are telling you to play THE GOOF, well you are not a man. Coach the &^% team the right way and do what you were hired to do. I sure hope you are smarter then that, but it doesn't look that way. Thanks for wasting everyones time who watched last night. I go to every game and get sick when THE GOOF is on the ice. Send him back where he belongs.
I feel better now.
Wannago 1 your writing seems familiar, did you used to write for the IDOT monthly with Joey Baccala? And Al (johnny of sham)? Miss your writing.
But I use to have alot of input there. I remember Baccala and he was a real fan who knew more about the NHL than everyone put together here. And Johnny of Sham was a Sham.
Wannago Joey Baccala reported that Huet was offered and accepted a 75% buyout.But that they had to wait per NHL rules for it to in effect.If thats the case cant they claim Huet has a vague injury and call up Crawford as a backup for the rest of the season?Or is that against the rules.I know Bacala is Old man Bowmans best friend so it shouls be true can you find out?
5
You're losing by a huge margin and not one guy is out there throwing his body around or trying to pick a fight? These guys are getting pushed around by a team that's out of the playoffs and their goalie is letting in shots like there's no tomorrow and yet we've got a guy like Eager who's doing nothing????? I thought this guy was supposed to be our "tough guy". I can only assume he will not be around next year. I'm just shocked that last night's game didn't disintegrate into a few scraps where the boys had enough and decided to throw down. Play with a little heart and some pride at least.
and get thumbed down for it! us hawk fans are not stupid, we saw this coming in december when teams started to turn it up against back then! the team is soft period! scotty thinks he has stevie y, zetter, paval, franzen, holmstrom here! scotty you don't, you have tazer, kaner and marion! period! then a bunch of players, maybe i throw ladd as a top 6 also, that are 3rd liners on a stanley cup team......3 things to address in the summer,!) get hossa some like himself talent to play with that understand his flare and playmaking creativity for the game, not sending himout there with 2 up and down clubfoots!(soory to hurt someones feelings, bolland is a 3rd line center for the millienth time!)2) straighten out the goaltending 3) excluding troy brouwer because he is the deal, get ,for that 3rd and 4th line some true grit, especiallty the 4th, the honeymoon is over with eager and burrish, last nite, although he tried, his fight where he basically got his nose almost beat right off his face by a rookie,that took us out of the game right away along with that stupid goal! get someone that can scare people or at least play and win a fight on that 4th line! you're the writer , what else do you think?marketing has nothing to do with it, the team is trying to emulate scotty's wings of the past without all the marbles, but even then i don't remember his wings teams being this soft and non physical, they had probert, kocur,mccarty,ect!!
And besides a talented player beside him,how about a young talented pyscho like Akim Aliu or Kyle Beach.They got good sighing money lets throw them to the wolves next year and see what there made of.
I notice that the Hawks lost when they are out-muscled as well. The BJ's were pushing everyone around including SEAB's. I said before, Burish is to small, Eager wants nothing to do with fighting and our forwards are small skilled fast guys. Yeah we have Ladd, Frazier, etc. but they are not guys that scare anyone. Phoenix has the right mix of big forwards that push people around and get in front of the net. Bring up Bickel now and maybe one other big guy and sit Eager and Burish for awhile.
Tim, What choices are available to the Hawks to shed some of Huet's salary? I don't anyone would take him now at that salary. Can he be bought out and taken off the cap? Can you put him on waivers and shed some salary? What is the most likely scenario?
. . . point me to the story where Bowman laughs about the non-issue of acquiring a goaltender? It keeps getting referenced and I must have missed it.
Not only does the boy need some public speaking instruction, but if he's got a case of hubris already, this thing could get ugly.
it was Stan that said that. i think it was his dad Scotty and i'm pretty sure i read it on the tsn.ca site the day of the trade deadline.
That was when I knew they had backed out of any goalie deals that day.
. . . that you took him at his word. When I heard that, I figured it meant there would be a new netminder in town. I was wrong.
So it's that interview being referenced? I thought something had come up more recently.
But the cynic in me said he was providing cover for Stan and the organization because they were not going to get a deal done.
You'll also note there was a some stuff "leaked" after the deadline (Andy Strickland and someone else had it) that "sources close to the Hawks" said the Hawks never had any discussions with anyone about a goalie.
To which I respond, "yeah, and I've got a bridge I want to sell ya."
That they had discussions but the asking price was too high and they simply failed to land a goalie? OR That they were comfortable with their goaltending and never had any discussions? If they had discussions and the price was too high, maybe that's a shot to Huet and Niemi's confidence, but at least it shows they have their finger on the pulse of this team and understand what the Hawks need to win a cup this year... If they didn't, then it suggests they have ultimate faith in Huet and Niemi, which would be a shot in the arm to both, but tells the outside world they are oblivious to this team's needs and what it will take for this group to win the cup. It's almost a damned if you did, damned if you didn't analysis, since ultimately we know they did not bring anyone in. Again, since nobody's ever defined what "One Goal" is, I'm left to wonder if it isn't just a catchy marketing theme, like "Coke is it!" or "Just do it!" and that the ultimate "goal" is just to make the Hawks a very, very profitable organization that is tantalizingly close to being good enough to win it all but far enough away to never actually do it. This team is, afterall, run by Dollar Bill's offspring and as the saying goes, the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree. Rocky may just be better at putting a spin on it...
. . . that if ever there was a prayer of moving him it was at the deadline . . . in a package with a coupla other quality guys who would have to go due to the looming cap situation.
I believe Niemi will pleasantly surprise. . . but the fact is we have a few other problems at present . . . such as softness and fragility. We played well against PHO but I was shocked at how little we hit anybody, even when the opportunity was there. I'm not looking for Kane to lay someone out, but Brouwer, Ladd, Sharp, Eager and Burish sure could finish more of their checks. Last night, Sharp looked disinterested in hitting anyone and he had several chances. I will say I admire Keith for going hard until the bitter end . . . but I do have to question why he was getting so much ice time in the third period of a blowout. Again, Q is raising eyebrows and for all the wrong reasons.
Hipcheck said....
OK, I made some comments earlier and am becoming more convinced there are some serious questions that need to be asked about Q and his players.
Is there resentment that Q kept putting the Huet anvil around their necks when he should have manned-up and made a clear choice 2 months ago?
Is Q not really making these decisions?
Does Q play mind games with his players (all coaches do to one degree or another) that are having a detrimental effect?
Have the players quit playing for him?
Is that what Sharp was eluding to?
As a White Sox fan, I watched the 2005 team lose a big lead in the division, put it together with ten days left, and go on to go 11-1 in the playoffs and win a championship. It's a long season and I don't think anyone wants the Hawks to have their lull now, but there is almost three weeks left in the season and we all know the Hawks are talented enough to win the Cup. I'm confident that Coach Q will motivate these guys to hit on all cylinders for the playoffs. If the Hawks can't win a first round series because Campbell is hurt, then we all overestimated the team talent. They will need Campbell for the second round going forward, against more elite teams, because teams have to game plan for him due to his speed and puck handling abilities. It just makes the Hawks more dangerous. The only thing confirmed from last night's game that is relevant, is Huet is not the guy going forward. We all knew that already. I actually advocated for Huet to be traded during the summer and let Niemi and Crawford split time until one distinguished himself. Might get my wish after all. Remember Patrick Roy was a rookie when the Habs won in '86.
The Hawks took a crap after the great game in San Jose , , and they really did not look that good in Minny when they were up 3-1. I say that because shots were tied at 4 . We scored 3 goals on 4 shots and tought we had an easy nite. We were lucky to have those 3 , and played like they were going to roll over for us. Since December , we have had a few games we played well , but few and far between . We wont go far unless we turn this ship around , and now . I liked Qs look when he heard what Sharp said . And I am glad I am not Sharp today , because coach was really ticked !! Toews line did not even play the last 10 + mins of the game , as they were not very "effective ". I dont think any part of our game was any good last nite . At least we can only go one way now , because we cant get any worse than that debackle !
It's one game! Yes it was against a bad team. Yes Huet didn't look good. If anything it sorts out the playoff starter situation. Come playoff time these guys will be ready. They come up big against big teams. Relax!!!!!!!!!
Are you crazy? Have you really been watching this team? It's not one game! This crap has been going on for last 25-30 games. This team is suffering from a case of cockiness. They think they can just turn it on when needed. They better learn real quick you need to earn victories...teams aren't going to hand them games. All signs point to a continued implosion until the end of April when the season may very well end.
My buddy puckhead is ready to throw in the towel... Come on man, calm down... We know that your routine/superstition works coming playoff time; once the playoffs starts, you turn it on, and we'll sit on the scoreboard in June.
Detroit?
San Jose?
Washington?
Pittsburgh?
Well, it has to be in Washington or Pittsburgh since Hawks can only play those to teams in the SC finals.
Had to watch last night on the DVR. If I had known the score, I may have skipped this train wreck completely. I had no problem with Huet starting after the way he played in Philly. Get him some playing time before the playoffs, etc. It was a roll of the dice on the road that failed.
Less than a minute in, I was sick. The look on Buff's face said it all. "Here we go again" Mentally Huet's done, and the team is too every time he lets in a softie. They played like total horse dung the entire game. No emotion, no energy, no legs, no consistent hitting or pressure, and scrambling around our own zone like a fire drill. And for goodness sake, get somebody in front of the goalie if you're going to shoot from the perimeter.
Man, total let down. I look forward to the moves ahead. Huet is done, Crawford is next up, and we're going into the playoffs with two inexperienced tenders. Heaven help us!
Maybe our marketing machine can get them on the Letterman show! Never can have too much overexposure or expectations!
Nicely said, puckhead.
Got to give kudos to Nerko77 for this one.....
Since we're in Chicago, how about "The Oprah Winfrey Show"? Since Oprah knows Dr. Phil, we can then get on his show and have a real cry fest! They could all gather around Huet with a box of Kleenex and Dr. Phil can talk him off the ledge
Maybe what this team needs is to go on the Jerry Springer show and beat the crap out of one another to wake them up!
Nice reward for a shutout in a showdown for first place for Nemo. A spot with a can of WD-40 for lubing door hindges at the end of the bench. What does Nemo need to do to be named the starter? Huet has shown his potential. If you want to give Huet some ice time give it to him in the back-to-backs in the next two weeks.
How do you build chemistry with your linemates when you don't stay with them for more than a week? In my opinion you play very hesitant because you are afraid if you make one wrong decision, bam your on the second/third line.
Having a forward play the point on a power-play! You have just killed your second line power-play unit. If you end up with back-to-back power plays you sacrifice quality scoring chances as a result.
Lets set our lines and our goaltender, and stick with it!
>30 second shifts
>Get shots on the net -- especially you Sharp
>Get a freaking rebound
>Pull your heads out of your behinds and get your minds in the present moment when you are on the ice
>Stop worrying about protecting a lead when you have one and put the pedal to the floor -- intense effort trumps all
>Stop making poor decisions with the puck in the offensive zone -- shoot, shoot, shoot
>Take the body, take the body, take the the body -- that means forecheckers and D-men stepping up, too -- enough of the backin' up at the blue line
>Forget about last night
>Stop the public farce of "goalie competition/audition"