chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 The general concensus at the begining of the season was that the Hawks weak spot was goaltending. So how's Huet doing? Sv% 0.895 which ranks him a solid 33rd out of 36 goaltenders. Ozzie incidently is at 0.910 which puts him 12th. The Hawks win/loss record is pretty good but eventually the goaltending problem is going to catch up with them. The Wings had a similar problem last year but were able to get around it because they had a very good back-up and led the league in Goals. The Hawks though are 18th in Goals/game and don't have a proven back-up. I'm thinking that the Hawks will struggle to make the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 He sucks, that is all there is to it. He sucks ass through a straw. I can't believe that the Hawks didn't try and keep, "The Bulin Wall." Huet can't under any circumstances backstop a cup winning team. Foolish, foolish, foolish on their part. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Niemi has ok numbers but they keep playing Huet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) They don't have a choice, they need to play Huet with the money there are paying him. Niemi has looked a lot better, and they will probably try everything to get out of Huets contract. Edited November 6, 2009 by Carman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 They don't have a choice, they need to play Huet with the money there are paying him. Niemi has looked a lot better, and they will probably try everything to get out of Huets contract. I don't think that's right by the Hawks.(although im glad they are doing it. ). The Caps were not held to that idea. Last year they took Theodores contract and put it on the back shelf for Varlomov. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 I don't think that's right by the Hawks.(although im glad they are doing it. ). The Caps were not held to that idea. Last year they took Theodores contract and put it on the back shelf for Varlomov. Theodore started 55 games last season? I'm just saying they have to give him every opportunity before they absolutely have to play Niemi to make the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 While i don't think their goaltending is QUITE as bad as some wings fans like to imply, it sure isnt all that pretty either. What gets me though is the complete mismanagement of that team. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure one year ago the hawks tried to place Khabibulin on waivers after inking huet to that absurd contract. I also think that when the trade deadline and end of the season approaches, the upcoming free agency problems will start to effect how they play as a team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zettie85 106 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Theodore started 55 games last season? I'm just saying they have to give him every opportunity before they absolutely have to play Niemi to make the playoffs. I get ya. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 The idea that the Hawks won't make the playoffs is absolutely laughable. All the best teams got off to slow starts this year and just as the Red Wings have begun to improve and show their true colors, the Hawks will soon follow. They'll get an extra boost on offense and in terms of thinking team defense once Hossa gets into the lineup. They'll be fine, and I wouldn't count out Huet to surprise some people before it's over. He's not great and he won't be at the top of the stats anytime soon, but it's early yet and as the team improves, his numbers will also improve, just like Osgood's have in a matter of days. Again, remember that a week ago Osgood was among the bottom of the pack of goalies in terms of stats and 3 solid games later he's moving on up again. In general, it's just way too early for this kind of ridiculous speculation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Not a homer statement, but I still see Detorit winning the Central and Chicago struggling to a 5th seed. Chi seems more prone to the injury bug already. Huet is barely average in net. Hossa's return will bring something, but team chemistry still takes time and he is one hit from the LTIR with his shoulder. I see an early out in the playoffs, conf semis at best, and then time to clean house and figure out how they can put a competetive team on the ice given all those high salaries. If the Hossa experiment doesn't pay off, and I don't think it will, Chi's future just went down the toilet. Also, Huet is under contract for 2 more years. If he plays well, they keep him and say what a deal they have at $5.6M. If he screws the pooch, no one will pick up that horrible contract. Nearly $13M tied up in Huet and Campbell for the next 2 years. Factor in Hossa money ($18M tied up) and none of the other 3 signed and this team is hurting, not to mention the inflated salaries of last year's RFA's that they still have to carry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yellowknife Redwing 57 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Who are we kidding here? Osgood's numbers were in the toilet until the last 3 games and Babcock kept playing him and I don't see Chicago's situation being any different. When Huet is playing with confidence he can be a difference maker. He's definitely not worth his salary, but he's not a bad goalie. The very notion of a Wings fan thinking that Chicago will struggle to challenge for the Central crown (nevermind the fact that they're contenders for division, conference, president's and Stanley cup) is a laughable fallacy. Chicago is playing through a rough patch of goaltending as we were, plus Toews is out with an injury and they've yet to add Hossa to their lineup which could see them rocket to first place within a matter of weeks. When Chicago finds their stride they will be putting 50 pucks on net per game from the likes of Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa so chances are their goaltending will need to be marginal at best for them to win 70% of their games. The last couple months of the regular season are going to see some furious hockey from the central division in its entirety. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Finnish Wing 110 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Niemi has ok numbers but they keep playing Huet. Well I kinda understand them, while I still believe that Huet won't be the number one there for long. Of course Huet's profile is so much bigger that Niemi needs to work harder to get the starter spot just for that reason. And if/when that happens I believe Huet is basically done as a starter in the NHL. Toskala and Theodore are fine examples. Although, it seems that some goalies actually bounce back and start to bloom later like Niittymaki has done this season. Unfortunately Huet's too old for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tommy_Like_Wingy 25 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Keep telling yourselves Chicago won't be a contender. Once Toews gets back in the lineup and a pure finisher like Hossa I don't see Chicago having many problems. Honestly, I think it'll be a matter of 2 or 3 points that separates either Chicago or us from taking first place in the Central. We've seen what Huet can do in Game 5 of last year. Hopefully that Huet doesn't come back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWings Gone Wild 6 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Who are we kidding here? Osgood's numbers were in the toilet until the last 3 games and Babcock kept playing him and I don't see Chicago's situation being any different. When Huet is playing with confidence he can be a difference maker. He's definitely not worth his salary, but he's not a bad goalie. The very notion of a Wings fan thinking that Chicago will struggle to challenge for the Central crown (nevermind the fact that they're contenders for division, conference, president's and Stanley cup) is a laughable fallacy. Chicago is playing through a rough patch of goaltending as we were, plus Toews is out with an injury and they've yet to add Hossa to their lineup which could see them rocket to first place within a matter of weeks. When Chicago finds their stride they will be putting 50 pucks on net per game from the likes of Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa so chances are their goaltending will need to be marginal at best for them to win 70% of their games. The last couple months of the regular season are going to see some furious hockey from the central division in its entirety. Huet isn't as bad goalie as many imply, but the idea that Chicago is going to utilize the strategy Detroit used with Osgood last year and just hope he starts playing better is a little unrealistic. Osgood, unlike Huet, has a couple of things on his resume that give him the benefit of the doubt (You know, lots of wins, couple of cups, etc). Huet simply does not, and contrary to what you've said, Huet has NEVER been a difference maker beyond any normal NHL level goalie. He had a good finish to his season in Washington in 08, leading them into the playoffs and then choking, Chicago overpayed based on the hype that season's finish gave him, but he was average before and after that. I 100% guarantee you Huet would be gone if someone out there was dumb enough to take on his contract. Chicago will have a great offense, but anyone who's watched Red Wings or San Jose hockey over the years (or any number of hot shot offensive squads) can tell you offense tends to vanish in the playoffs for teams pressured by expectations and lacking the necessary playoff grit and muscle: for more details see Chicago and Hossa last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Keep telling yourselves Chicago won't be a contender. Once Toews gets back in the lineup and a pure finisher like Hossa I don't see Chicago having many problems. Honestly, I think it'll be a matter of 2 or 3 points that separates either Chicago or us from taking first place in the Central. We've seen what Huet can do in Game 5 of last year. Hopefully that Huet doesn't come back. Every goalie has games like that every year. Huet blows bottom line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MadMan Mark 0 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Keep telling yourselves Chicago won't be a contender. Once Toews gets back in the lineup and a pure finisher like Hossa I don't see Chicago having many problems. Honestly, I think it'll be a matter of 2 or 3 points that separates either Chicago or us from taking first place in the Central. We've seen what Huet can do in Game 5 of last year. Hopefully that Huet doesn't come back. I think Chi still lost that game if I'm not mistaken. Huet is very inconsistent and has never won anything. Also, IMO, playoff hockey is more of a defensive approach. Kane doesn't play D (unlike Selke finalists Datsyuk and Zetterberg) and I don't consider Chi's D to even be on par with the Wings D. Chi D cost them 2 games in the WCF due to untimely TO's. It's more likely we'll see a Huet of Game 4, a 6-1 drubbing in their own building. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Huet isn't going to be a heck of a lot better than he is now, but the difference is Chicago has the offense to offset the issues in goal, while Detroit does not. That's why Osgood needs to play like he has in the past three. Chicago will be a threat to win the division and a cup contender. No one here can deny that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Mule 0 Report post Posted November 6, 2009 Ozzie Cristobal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 There is a reason why LA, Montreal, and Washington did not retain him... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pucks 66 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 (edited) There is a reason why LA, Montreal, and Washington did not retain him... I'm no Huet fan, but you can say this and provide a list of teams for most every goalie in this league. Our's included. Edited November 7, 2009 by Pucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 I'm no Huet fan, but you can say this and provide a list of teams for most every goalie in this league. Our's included. Not in Montreal... Either you got it or your gone... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWings Gone Wild 6 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 There is a reason why LA, Montreal, and Washington did not retain him... Washington wanted to retain him badly, Chicago just outbid them. Theo was not their first choice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 Who are we kidding here? Osgood's numbers were in the toilet until the last 3 games and Babcock kept playing him and I don't see Chicago's situation being any different. When Huet is playing with confidence he can be a difference maker. He's definitely not worth his salary, but he's not a bad goalie. The very notion of a Wings fan thinking that Chicago will struggle to challenge for the Central crown (nevermind the fact that they're contenders for division, conference, president's and Stanley cup) is a laughable fallacy. Chicago is playing through a rough patch of goaltending as we were, plus Toews is out with an injury and they've yet to add Hossa to their lineup which could see them rocket to first place within a matter of weeks. When Chicago finds their stride they will be putting 50 pucks on net per game from the likes of Toews, Kane, Sharp and Hossa so chances are their goaltending will need to be marginal at best for them to win 70% of their games. The last couple months of the regular season are going to see some furious hockey from the central division in its entirety. You missed the point. The Wings starting goaltending was not good in the regular season last year but their goalscoring and back-up goaltending was near the top of the league. The Hawks starting goaltending this year is bottom of the league and their back-up goaltending and scoring is average. What will happen in the future is anybody's guess but right now their goaltending sucks (33 out of 36) and their goal scoring is average. Presidents Trophy? You are kidding right? 50 puck on net? You lost your credibility with that one. No team has averaged even 35 in the last 12 years. And what exactly does Toee and Hossa being out have to do with goaltending? I repeat - the Hawks are going to struggle to make the playoffs unless Huet has a complete turn around. 15 games in he sucks. And Toews and Hossa have nothingto do with the goaltending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisdetroit 189 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 Huet isn't going to be a heck of a lot better than he is now, but the difference is Chicago has the offense to offset the issues in goal, while Detroit does not. That's why Osgood needs to play like he has in the past three. Chicago will be a threat to win the division and a cup contender. No one here can deny that. Win the division? maybe but there is a world of difference between the regualr season and the playoffs. NOBODY does well in the playoffs without great goaltending. Chicago will finish 4th or 5th in the West and bow out in the first or 2nd round unless they find a new goaltender.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted November 7, 2009 (edited) Washington wanted to retain him badly, Chicago just outbid them. Theo was not their first choice. And look where it got them... An overpriced goalie who is not to special. Edited November 7, 2009 by Rivalred Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
