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Post by habmeister on Jan 22, 2002 18:25:03 GMT -5
We've got a problem folks. A glut of good goaltenders and a lack of quality defence and scoring forwards. The biggest problem with goaltenders is that unless they're truly "proven" in the nhl for at least 2 seasons most teams won't give up a lot for "potential." The habs are in that dilemma right now and are stuck between a rock and a hard place, behind the eight ball or whatever cliche you'd prefer. The problem with goalies is that unlike skating players they cannot play every game and if they have an off one can cost you the game. Savard has to somehow maneuver Hackett into the lineup enough times so that other gm's (cough cough canucks) are drooling at the thought of getting hackett as their guy. I think that the best idea is for hackett to decide for himself that he loves montreal, the canadiens and to face the fact that he might not get the #1 job in any city that he is traded to. Except maybe a couple of teams that is. Rarely do teams make mid season trades with goalies and prefer to ride out their #1 and if that fails their backup. <br> Hackett should tell Savard that he doesn't mind being the #2 knowing full well that if Theodore gets hurt or god forbid turns into a jim carey, blaine lacher, troy gamble...he'll have the #1 spot again. <br> This wouldn't necessarily help the team as far as dealing him goes, but it would give the kids on the farm more time to develop like Theodore did these past 3 years. A two year contract for Hackett at $1-1.5 mil per would be a reasonable contract and he could also help out with the kids when they were called up in the future. The future of les canadiens having a strong man in the nets goes back as far as i can remember, it ended that fateful day against the Red Wings a few years back. Since then we've done nothing in the regular season or the playoffs. Let Garon, Tarasov and Michaud battle it out in the AHL and bring up whomever is readiest when Hackett has retired. Until then i say stand pat, dont' screw around with the strongest position on our team. Thats just my opinion. habaroni and cheese aka shaneinvan  |
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Post by legaspesien on Jan 22, 2002 19:10:04 GMT -5
Better keep and play him like a 2nd anyway I dought any team will give us something unless we eat a part of his 3.4 US not to say f(h)oule money
another reason to keep him is that Garon asn't finished his stage at a lower level
Imagine LA are giving away to any taker S.Fiset and nobody wan't him...Hackett don't have mutch value than Fiset
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Post by PTH on Jan 22, 2002 19:20:43 GMT -5
Slight problem - Garon needs to get a chance now, otherwise we'll lose him.
If it's not to waivers, it'll be to give Tarasov some serious AHL ice time.
Remember that Garon isn't much younger than José, and Tarasov is basically José's age, these three are really of the same "class" and have to be looked at as a group of sorts.
Michaud though, is several years younger, and is a totally different case. We'll let him go through Junior and the AHL, and by the time he's ready for the NHL the other 3 will have shown what they can or can't do.
My approach to all this ?
Deal Hack as soon as you can get any kind of return, otherwise expose him at the waiver draft. In the meantime, use him as a backup, no more.
Next year find an old guy to bring into camp, Theo is #1, and Tarasov, Garon and the oldie get to fight it out to be the backup. Hack can't be that oldie, for salary reasons - unless he's cleared waivers, at which point we have to pay his salary regardless.
For next year I'd like to see the Habs have Theo and Garon, with Tarasov getting a lot of AHL ice time, and some veteran in the AHL that we can use if ever Garon falters big time.
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Post by BadCompany on Jan 22, 2002 19:45:38 GMT -5
I agree that Michaud should just be forgotten about. He's still got at least one more year of junior eligibility, and at least one year in the AHL, if not 2 or 3. So he is a good 3 years away, minumum, from making the NHL. If he ever does. The kid is just a prospect after all.
Its with the other three that things get interesting. Theodore is the unquestioned #1 right now, and deservedly so, and he isn't going anywhere. It would be political and marketing suicide for Savard to trade him now, not to mention he is pretty much the only on-ice success we have. But Garon, Hackett and Tarasov pose an interesting dilemna.
I think the wild card here is Tarasov. He had a good NHL camp, and a very good beginning to the AHL season, before getting hurt. I think that really messed up Andre Savard's long term plans, as it would be nice to know where Tarasov stands in the grand scheme of things. The guy over on Hockey's Future said Tarasov has started to practice with the team, so it will be interesting to see how he does over the remainder of the season.
If Tarasov proves he can play in the AHL, and is at the very least a good AHL goalie with potential to be an NHLer, then I say trade Garon. That's right, Garon. As some of you may know, I have never really been a huge Garon fan, and I would look into dealing him. If Hackett is sincere about his claim that he loves Montreal and wants to finish his career here, and if he is willing to accept the backup role unquestionably, then I would re-negotiate his contract, for say 3 or 4 years, maybe at $2 million per. Instead of going through the humiliation of a waiver draft (and probably not even selected) and then bought out, Hackett gets $5-6 million over 3 years (more than what he would make over the remaining one year of his current contract), and the security of knowing he will be taken care right up until he retires at the age of 37, 38. Its a lot for a backup, I know, but we are asking a lot of Jeff too, to give up his dreams of being a #1 goalie (and he still thinks he is) and to accept the fact that his career is on the downswing. We then want him to be a mentor and a dressing room leader, and maybe even an assistant coach at the end of his career - he is a superably sound technical goalie after all.
I would then leave Tarasov in the AHL as the main guy. Lets see how he does down there over a span of two or three years, and use him as an emergency callup if and when injuries strike. He'll be the AHL bridge to Michaud.
So, in summary then;
Theo #1
Hackett #2 at about $2 million per, signed long term, dangling a possible coaching position in his face as incentive.
Garon traded, possibly in a package, for that elusive "big, young sniper." Not many teams need Jeff Hackett at $4 million next year, but a lot more might be interested in picking up a potential franchise goalie. Atlanta, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Detroit, the list of teams that could use and afford Garon goes on and on.
Tarasov in the AHL for 2 or 3 years, eventually replacing Hackett as Theodore's backup.
Michaud in junior, eventually replacing Tarasov, first in the AHL, then as Theodore's backup, then Theodore himself.
There. That oughta cover Montreal's goaltending needs for the next decade or so.
Why I am not GM I will never know.
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Post by Doc Holliday on Jan 22, 2002 19:53:26 GMT -5
Hack has almost no value due to his current 3.5mil salary and his even worst 4mil projected salary of next year (can you believe our backup goalie is our highest paid player...!!! Thanks Reggie  ). He's rather injury prone and slow to get his "A" game back when he returns. It is pretty much understood that no serious team looking at a playoff run will want Hack as their starter and he is way too expensive as a backup, even if we eat half his salary. Frankly I am not even sure he'd get picked if left exposed in the waiver draft. Unless some unexpected twist of events happens, we're looking at keeping him. The best course of action is to try and renegociate him to a more interesting salary if nothing can be done there maybe Atlanta could have an interest (given we pay a good chunk of his salary and want crumbs as a trade return). It's a darn shame since we know what kind of game this guy can bring to the table when on his game. |
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Post by PTH on Jan 22, 2002 19:55:17 GMT -5
Problem: Garon's value isn't all that high, I don't see us getting all that much for him as this point.
Also, Hack's far from being a sure thing over the next few years, I'm not sure we want to invest heavily in a guy who might just be done, and also has zero playoff experience. Getting a Vernon/Belfour kinda guy might be more practical if we want to have an older backup. I'd rather give Garon/Tarasov a chance there.
Also, keeping Hack as backup for any longer than the rest of his contract means giving up on Tarasov as well. He's 25 now, he'll be close to turning 27 by the time Hack leaves as a UFA after next season (assuming no contracts are changed), at that point he's gotta play or else we'll lose him, he'll go back to Europe or insist on getting dealt, and his value would be nil, kinda like what Hedberg's was when he was dealt.
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Post by Pam on Jan 23, 2002 2:13:17 GMT -5
Getting a Vernon/Belfour kinda guy might be more practical if we want to have an older backup. PTH, IMHO, the Habs would do better to go with Vernon as backup goalie. The last time the Flames were in San Jose, they had to pull Turek because he was letting in too many. Vernon went in and was totally awsome the rest of the game. Vernon got 1st Star of the game. I think Mike wants to retire in Calgary, but if he doesn't retire, then I believe he would do very well as Montreal's backup. |
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Post by habernac on Jan 23, 2002 9:34:12 GMT -5
Vernon is TOAST, Pam. He's just too old. He had one decent run in Calgary this year and then injured himself. The Flames have so little confidence in this guy that its almost an automatic 2 points for the other squad whenever he plays. We have too much goaltending depth to be wasting our time with washed up old fogies. Vernon will retire after this season because he is done like dinner. And he knows it.
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Post by Pam on Jan 23, 2002 13:46:02 GMT -5
Vernon is TOAST, Pam. He's just too old. He had one decent run in Calgary this year and then injured himself. The Flames have so little confidence in this guy that its almost an automatic 2 points for the other squad whenever he plays. We have too much goaltending depth to be wasting our time with washed up old fogies. Vernon will retire after this season because he is done like dinner. And he knows it. Gee that's weird. It hasn't been that long since I've seen Vernon rescue the Flames more than once from being toast in the games they were playing. |
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Post by habernac on Jan 23, 2002 14:59:56 GMT -5
Mike should have quit while he was ahead. Now he's "First shot" Vernon, as in, they're lucky if he doesn't let in the first shot. Too bad. I kind of like the guy. He has a no-trade clause so he'll play out the string this season and walk off into the sunset.
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Post by seventeen on Jan 23, 2002 17:22:40 GMT -5
In this corner, Pam and in the other corner, Habernac....whoops, distracted. Sorry, just wanted to make the point that I wouldn't bet the farm on Olivier Michaud's development. In the 2 games I saw him play at the WJC, he didn't give me the warm and fuzzies. Having said that, he's eighteen (and he likes it - ala Alice Cooper) and he has development time ahead of him. I just wish I'd seen something special. Oh well, 2 games, who am I to judge.
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Post by Pam on Jan 24, 2002 10:34:44 GMT -5
Mike should have quit while he was ahead. Now he's "First shot" Vernon, as in, they're lucky if he doesn't let in the first shot. Too bad. I kind of like the guy. He has a no-trade clause so he'll play out the string this season and walk off into the sunset. Mike is one of my favorite goalies. Not #1, but still a favorite. I am so sorry to hear he has gone downhill since that game the Flames played in San Jose. But with the Flames going down in flames has to be that Turek isn't performing either. If he was, Mike wouldn't be in net and the Flames wouldn't be struggling. I don't think all the blame should go on Mike. |
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Post by Pam on Jan 24, 2002 10:36:50 GMT -5
In this corner, Pam and in the other corner, Habernac....whoops, distracted Nah, not really. Habernac is a long time resident on HabsRus. He lives in Alberta so he knows more what is happening with Mike and the Flames than I do. He was just letting me know what's been going on with Mike. |
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Post by habmeister on Jan 24, 2002 19:09:34 GMT -5
It's really too bad that Hackett's trade value is low right now and Tarasov is injured. The Vancouver Canucks have run into major injury trouble with their top two goalies: cloutier and skudra going down. They had to bring up Alex Auld last night from the A even though his GAA was 3.42 and save percentage was .882 down there. He played well last night beating dallas 4-2, BUT i don't expect him to play that way tomorrow night against the maple laffs.
If only hackett were healthy, burke might be interested.
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 30, 2002 17:32:32 GMT -5
Do you really think Burke would deal for Hackett just to fill a need for about 2 weeks?! It's not like Cloutier is out for a long time.He could be back within a week.And Skudra is playing very well right now.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 31, 2002 12:50:36 GMT -5
i think it might be a good move on savard's part to sign adam russo. the kid impressed at the habs' prospect camp this past summer and he's a free agent, and quite arguably the best goalie in the qmjhl this year [bathurst-acadie]. the cost would be reasonable and we would have 2 next generation goalies. after this season is over i see hackett being moved, either tarasov or garon becoming théo's backup and bélanger backing up the one who reamins in the ahl. don't forget that we also have 19 year old joni puurula playing over in finland . |
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 31, 2002 13:41:07 GMT -5
i think it might be a good move on savard's part to sign adam russo. the kid impressed at the habs' prospect camp this past summer and he's a free agent, and quite arguably the best goalie in the qmjhl this year [bathurst-acadie]. the cost would be reasonable and we would have 2 next generation goalies. after this season is over i see hackett being moved, either tarasov or garon becoming théo's backup and bélanger backing up the one who reamins in the ahl. don't forget that we also have 19 year old joni puurula playing over in finland .How old is Russo? was he ever drafted? |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 31, 2002 17:10:20 GMT -5
Adam Russo born 1983/04/12. currently 3rd in the qmjhl in both goals against average and save percentage. michaud leads in goals against.
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Post by Habsolutely on Jan 31, 2002 21:12:29 GMT -5
I don't know what to do with Jeff Hackett honestly.
Savard's strategy at the beginning of the year to have 2 goaltenders playing on a regular basis was excellent and Hackett responded well. However, his injury destroyed every chances to trade him and after, he completly lost his magic.
As for the young goaltenders, I don't see Mathieu Garon having a future here. I don't think he has the mental aspect to play and win in Montréal. Playing here and playing in Anaheim is two different things for a french netminder. Jocelyn Thibault knew it first hand.
I've seen Tarasov in training camp and I was really impressed by his quickness and play around the net. He never looked scared or hesitant to play the puck. Obviously, he needed some time in the AHL to learn how the NA style of hockey is, but in Tarasov, we have definitly a keeper.
If we can allow Garon to play some games for the Habs next season, hope that he could do very well and impress some teams, then we could trade him with maybe another prospect or young player for a good or star player.
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 31, 2002 21:23:37 GMT -5
Adam Russo born 1983/04/12. currently 3rd in the qmjhl in both goals against average and save percentage. michaud leads in goals against. so he is 18 or 19? is this his draft year or he was just ignored at last year's draft...like Olivier? |
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Post by MPLABBE on Jan 31, 2002 21:26:23 GMT -5
I don't know what to do with Jeff Hackett honestly. Savard's strategy at the beginning of the year to have 2 goaltenders playing on a regular basis was excellent and Hackett responded well. However, his injury destroyed every chances to trade him and after, he completly lost his magic. As for the young goaltenders, I don't see Mathieu Garon having a future here. I don't think he has the mental aspect to play and win in Montréal. Playing here and playing in Anaheim is two different things for a french netminder. Jocelyn Thibault knew it first hand. I've seen Tarasov in training camp and I was really impressed by his quickness and play around the net. He never looked scared or hesitant to play the puck. Obviously, he needed some time in the AHL to learn how the NA style of hockey is, but in Tarasov, we have definitly a keeper. If we can allow Garon to play some games for the Habs next season, hope that he could do very well and impress some teams, then we could trade him with maybe another prospect or young player for a good or star player. Interesting thought on Garon, he seems to be a guy who gets down on himself when he struggles.To be an NHL goalie here,you can't get down on yourself and struggle,because every bad goal is scrutinized,every bad game is talked about for the next 24-48 hours,etc. |
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Jan 31, 2002 23:41:04 GMT -5
so he is 18 or 19? is this his draft year or he was just ignored at last year's draft...like Olivier? same case as michaud, overlooked. he'll be 19 in april. |
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). He's rather injury prone and slow to get his "A" game back when he returns. It is pretty much understood that no serious team looking at a playoff run will want Hack as their starter and he is way too expensive as a backup, even if we eat half his salary. Frankly I am not even sure he'd get picked if left exposed in the waiver draft. Unless some unexpected twist of events happens, we're looking at keeping him. The best course of action is to try and renegociate him to a more interesting salary if nothing can be done there maybe Atlanta could have an interest (given we pay a good chunk of his salary and want crumbs as a trade return). 
