Cristobal Huet Update (Sort of)

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:09 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 1, 2008

Capitals Sign Goaltender Jose Theodore to Two-Year Contract

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Jose Theodore to a two-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Theodore, who will turn 32 on Sept. 13, won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2001-02. The 5’11”, 182-pound native of Laval, Quebec, is a 12-year professional who spent the last two seasons with the Colorado Avalanche. He was 28-21-3 with three shutouts, a 2.44 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in 2007-08, including a 21-13-2 record, a 2.24 GAA and a .919 save percentage in his last 37 starts.

Theodore started 20 of the Avalanche’s last 21 games in 2007-08 en route to his fifth career 20-win season. He ranked fifth among NHL goaltenders with a 2.24 GAA after January 1. Theodore posted a 6-1 record in shootouts this season and has a 9-2 mark in shootouts in his career.

A second-round choice of the Montreal Canadiens in the 1994 NHL Draft, Theodore spent parts of 10 seasons with Montreal, including his Hart Trophy season in 2002. He also won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender and made his first of two NHL All-Star Game appearances that year.

Theodore appeared in his 400th career game in 2007-08 and has a career mark of 183-197-40, with a 2.65 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He ranks 10th among active goaltenders in career appearances (444) and 14th in victories (183).

Jose Theodore
Goaltender
Ht.: 5’11” Wt.: 182 Catches: Right
Born: September 13, 1976 (Laval, Quebec)
Drafted: Montreal’s second-round choice, 44th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft
Acquired: Signed as a free agent, July 1, 2008

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:12 pm

I'm glad they signed another goaltender, but how is this an update on Huet? I really hope this isn't a replacement for Huet.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:17 pm

GSPODS wrote:I'm glad they signed another goaltender, but how is this an update on Huet? I really hope this isn't a replacement for Huet.

1) It says sort of
2) You can't see how signing another goal tender might have some bearing on the Huet negotiations?

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:21 pm

Fios wrote:
GSPODS wrote:I'm glad they signed another goaltender, but how is this an update on Huet? I really hope this isn't a replacement for Huet.

1) It says sort of
2) You can't see how signing another goal tender might have some bearing on the Huet negotiations?

Yes, it does.
No, I can't. Call me Obtuse, but Jose Theodore isn't scaring anyone into or out of contract negotiations.

Unable to keep Cristobal Huet in the fold, Washington GM George McPhee went for the second-best option on the free-agent market and signed former Vezina and Hart Trophy winner Jose Theodore

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:55 pm

whatever man

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:01 pm

Fios wrote:whatever man

The Capitals met the asking price of Huet and his agent before the free agent shopping season started today, but the French-born goaltender elected to wait and accept a contract offer from the Chicago Blackhawks.

You're right. Whatever.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:47 am

Theodore doesnt sign here if he's backing up Huet. The Caps don't sign Theodore if huet is coming back. Ergo, the signing of theodore is an update on Huet because it means huet ain't signing here (as evidenced by the fact that he signed with the Hawks).

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:51 am

JansenFan wrote:Theodore doesnt sign here if he's backing up Huet. The Caps don't sign Theodore if huet is coming back. Ergo, the signing of theodore is an update on Huet because it means huet ain't signing here (as evidenced by the fact that he signed with the Hawks).

That's what I was afraid of.
Was it wrong of me to hope against hope that both Huet and Theodore would be wearing Capitals uniforms next season? The thought was good for all of the hour or so that it lasted.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:00 pm

I wish we could have resigned Huet, his consistency really helped us down the strech. At the same time, he is 32, and I think wanted a larger contract then the Caps were willing to offer, considering the prospects we have in the farm system.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:41 pm

Actually, I'd heard that the Caps matched the numbers his agent asked for, but he chose to sign with the Blackhawks. Just a rumor, though.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:45 pm

This news is a tragedy. Maybe there was something behind the scenes he didn't like?

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:24 pm

Irn-Bru wrote:This news is a tragedy. Maybe there was something behind the scenes he didn't like?

Tragedy?????

Dude... it's HOCKEY.

Horrible news for Caps fans... perhaps... but, tragedy????

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:42 pm

I've been known to exaggerate on occasion. :oops:

I really liked Huet's performance with the Caps, though. And since we essentially gave up on Kolzig to play him, I was hoping he'd stick around a little longer. . .

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 9:44 am

Countertrey wrote:
Irn-Bru wrote:This news is a tragedy. Maybe there was something behind the scenes he didn't like?

Tragedy?????

Dude... it's HOCKEY.

Horrible news for Caps fans... perhaps... but, tragedy????

I think I would say this is a lamentable misfortune, a travesty, a perversion of sports justice, rather than a tragedy.
Tragedy, to me, summons comparison with the Greek writings of Homer.
But to each, his or her own. If the Caps have a major letdown this season, I may join Irn-Bru in the tragedy sentiment, especially if a Caps letdown is combined with a stellar season from Huet with the Blackhawks.

Because I am demented and want to make this a legitimate tragedy, I am hoping to see reports of "Blackhawk Down" this upcoming season, in reference to Huet. :evil:

Whatever his reasoning, the Caps gave Huet the opportunity to perform and seek that max contract he signed. He could have had the decency to recognize that by sticking around.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:33 am

It's ok. It's not like Theodore is a chump.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:47 am

JansenFan wrote:It's ok. It's not like Theodore is a chump.

No, he isn't. But Theodore, unlike Huet, has already proven himself. Theodore didn't need to be given an opportunity that didn't exist previously, only to flash a big screw you sign to the team that gave him the opportunity. Huet had one good string of games, only because the Caps gave him the chance. It isn't like he's Hasek or Brodeur. Not only that, the Caps matched the contract amount. So, I have to think either there was something else, or Huet is an ingrate. Knowing that Ted Leonsis is a far better than average person, especially as owners go, I'm giving him and George McPhee the benefit of the doubt and blaming Huet for being an ingrate.

Blackhawk Down :evil:

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:46 pm

We may actually have something good here in Theordore.

Many people have speculated that his best years are behind him, but many also attribute his slump in Montreal as a result of poor training during the lockout, snowballed by a lack of confidence afterwards.

He had a decent year last year, and we might be catching him on the upswing, with renewed confidence.

If you look at his stats, every year where he's started 50+ games, he's had an above .900 Save %.

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:08 pm

We may actually have something good here in Theordore.

I think so too. I liked Huet, but it is no great loss, I think Theordore will be equal to him in goal. What's important now is getting one of the kids on the farm ready to be a starting goaltender in a few years. regardless of it being Huet of Theordore who steps between the pipes neither are spring chickens and this team needs to look towards the future in goal.

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:14 pm

Bob 0119 wrote:We may actually have something good here in Theordore.

I have no problem with Jose Theodore. I never did.

Huet = Blackhawk down. :evil:

You can't trust Canadians to be loyal. :twisted:

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:21 pm

You can't trust Canadians to be loyal. Twisted Evil

I think you mean the French

GSPODS · Post by **GSPODS** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:59 pm

Sir_Monk wrote:
You can't trust Canadians to be loyal. Twisted Evil

I think you mean the French

French
Canadian
Neither pronounce "H"

They can't even hate anyone.
It always comes out, "I ate you."

Blackhawk Down :evil:

MDSKINSFAN · Post by **MDSKINSFAN** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:46 pm

Huet signed with someone else a few days ago. idk who i dont really follow hockey well except for the caps

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:34 pm

GSPODS wrote:
Sir_Monk wrote:
You can't trust Canadians to be loyal. Twisted Evil

I think you mean the French

French
Canadian
Neither pronounce "H"

They can't even hate anyone.
It always comes out, "I ate you."

Blackhawk Down

French Canadians speak French... go figure... the rest of us speak considerably more proper English than say... most Americans. :whistle:

I can pronounce an 'H' and could express that I hated you, without issue.

As for swapping Huet for Theodore, it's a slight step backwards in my humble opinion. Theodore may surprise and return to form that he's shown in the past, but he just as easily might not. Having said that, he's a competent goalie, he just isn't going to steal a lot of games for the Caps IMO.

Varlamov is probably their best goaltending prospect and he looked great at the World Juniors, but playing in the Russian Super League, it's hard to get a read on his relative ability. He is at least playing with men and at a fairly elite level.

Michal Neuvirth had a really tough season last year - traded twice... couple of injuries... he went back to junior for a year of maturity and conditioning and unfortunately got little of either.

Machesney had a great year in Hershey last year... but Brent Johnson would still be considered 'better'. So right now it looks like it's Theodore or bust in 2008/9...

Sir_Monk · Post by **Sir_Monk** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:22 pm

Boss - my guess is that Caps wanted to take their shot with the youngsters, and Huet wanted not only more money but a longer contract then the Caps were willing to give.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:20 pm

Sir_Monk wrote:Boss - my guess is that Caps wanted to take their shot with the youngsters, and Huet wanted not only more money but a longer contract then the Caps were willing to give.

If I recall correctly, that is precisely what Huet said (via his agent) that it wasn't a money issue but a question of contract length