Price Still Isn’t Right For Canadiens Goalie
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 17, 2009 10:13 AM EST
40 comments
A year ago tomorrow, I wrote a piece on the overhyping of Montreal goaltender Carey Price, an article that was criticized by a lot of Habs Nation — though some agreed with me — during what was supposed to be the franchise's glorious centennial celebration.
With the Hurricanes and Canadiens set to face off tonight at the Bell Centre, the hype around Price has died down — and so have the expectations for the former first-round pick. The battle for the No. 1 spot in net in Montreal is not as clear-cut as once perceived, with the Montreal fan base lining up in two camps for Price and Jaroslav Halak.
Habs Eyes On The Prize have been breaking down the two goalies head-to-head, while Halak's agent is even getting in on the argument (more on this later). A year ago, such talk was blasphemy. Today? Common fodder for the fans of Le Club de Hockey.
Price continues to show flashes of brilliance — his 55-save effort in a 2-0 loss to Nashville comes to mind — but over the past year the 22-year-old goalie has also been, at times, inconsistent, flustered and frustrated. There is no denying Price's talent. His combination of size, reflexes and compete-level are the attributes All-Star goalies are made of. But — like I said this time last year — it would be tough for any player to live up to such expectations, to thrive in the shadows cast by all-time greats Jacques Plante, Ken Dryden and Patrick Roy.
That pressure has clearly weighed on Price, whether you point to his pedestrian numbers (4-8, 3.09 goals-against average, .904 save percentage this season, 23-16-10, 2.83, .905 last year), or incidents like his salute to jeering Montreal fans last April.
The latest dust-up came when Halak's agent, Allan Walsh, joined in on the Price bashing. Following a 3-1 loss to the Lightning, Walsh tweeted:
"Interesting stat of the night.... #Habs' Price is 10W, 32L in last 42 starts. Hmm."
Price will likely be between the pipes for Montreal tonight, looking for his first win at home in five tries this season. Last season, Price was much better at home (13-4-7, 2.40, .918) than on the road (10-12-3, 3.21, .895). This year? He's 4-4 on the road with a 2.87 goals-against average and .920 save percentage, compared to 0-4 with a 3.54 GAA and .853 save percentage in front of the Montreal fans.
At this time a year ago, Canadiens fans were firmly behind their franchise goalie — now they're on the cusp of eating him alive. Not all hope is lost for Price in Montreal. He's still just 22 and has a lot of hockey in front of him, and Canes fans can relate to the growing pains a goaltending phenom can go through.
But the lights burn bright for hockey in Montreal — much, much brighter than they do in Raleigh or any other U.S. city. Habs Nation just has to hope they haven't overcooked their former savior.
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Dang, how am I supposed to catch the 2nd win?
by hotchipsnsalsa on Nov 17, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
try this web site it should have the game (in french).
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 17, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
Center ice tonight and I believe its in french. So usually what I do is mute the tv and put on Chuck K.
So, all my teams suck!
When Comparing to Ward
Ward got off a lot easier after his sophomore slump. If Ward had been playing for a Canadian team, he would have been crucified (get it?? Jesus Price?? no?) in the same situation as Price, only more so because of the Cup win. Maybe the Canadian teams should concentrate on aquiring matured goaltenders (see Vancuver) rather than trying to develope them in a pressure cooker.
It’s actually a great compare and contrast situation:
The Habs fans and management are quick to give up on a player and look for the next thing, the demands of success being so that you really don’t have time or patience to let a young player grow and see how they are truly going to pan out.
Here, the management is so high on Ward that they have steadfastly refused to go sign a real back up that might push him as to not bruise his ego, even if it may have made him a better player. The homers that make up this fan base refuse to see fault in a player, unless he pulls a Babchuk which makes them fair game, basically making us the anit-Montreal/Tornoto, where they look to break down everyone who plays for them not named Sittler, Gilmore, Richard, or Dryden.
The end result is a place where a player is either dejected to the point of never really being right again or a place where the player never grows to his full potential, because he does not have too. I wonder which a player would rather have, as both have their drawbacks.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Nov 17, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno … there were some people calling for Ward’s head last year.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 17, 2009 1:22 PM EST up reply actions
And the homers called us everything but "Baby-Killers ".
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Nov 17, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
Well, that’s what was going on in Montreal last year. They loved Price then.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 17, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Watch out Cory-I'd expect the onslaught any moment now.
I honestly feel bad for Price. The scrutiny in a place like Montreal has to be overwhelming for even the most seasoned players let alone a young “savior”. His game and his personal life are analyzed to the point where I’m surprised he hasn’t flipped out yet. Imagine when you were 22-would everything you did hold up to such high expectations?
While that fanbase’s pride is an amazing thing, it almost does more harm than good when it comes to the players. Anything short of spectacular just isn’t good enough. Hopefully as Price matures he will be able to handle things better and not let the attention get to him.
Canadian "fanbase" for hockey makes Cowboy and Yankee
fans look sane and controlled.
When all else fails, read the instruction manual.
They won’t come now that they agree … lol.
by Cory Lavalette on Nov 17, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Article in Montreal Press on the Hurricanes
Here’s the link:
http://habsinsideout.com/main/24269
It’s an interesting article, although it is somewhat snide in tone, I thought.
Here’s an except:
• Carolina finally won a game on Sunday against Minnesota, but it’s still a pretty dismal picture right now. A 14-game losing streak that just ended, dead last in the NHL, 72 goals against, and crippling injuries that have their two top stars (Staal & Ward) on the sidelines. Even when they were in the lineup, Staal and Ward were in the middle of terrible slumps. The Canes weren’t as good as everyone thought last year (33-19-5 under coach, Paul Maurice) and probably aren’t as bad as they appear right now. Regardless, GM Jim Rutherford, is faced with a major decision. Does he wait it out and add a few new players (the Canes are also up against the cap) or face the fact that his team is too old (average age is 30) and needs to be rebuilt? It’s a tough call in light of the fact that the Hurricanes are in a soft market that may not be able to handle a few years of missing the playoffs.
• An inability to score goals was a big part of this year’s tough start. In fact, up until the Minnesota game, the Canes’ PP was 0-26. They also have been out shot 23-10 during the 2nd periods which put many games out of reach even before they were half over. The core of the offense is underperforming and aging quickly at the same time. Ray (Wizard) Whitney (6/7/13) still has some gas left in the tank but is now 37. He relies on his speed so he can’t afford to lose a step. Rod Brind’Amour (2/5/7/-16) is 39 and is starting to really breakdown. He was -23 last year and isn’t quite the factor in games that he once was. A great face-off man, his role is changing as he drops down the depth chart. Matt Cullen (3/5/8-10) is a good, consistent two way player but really wouldn’t be part of any rebuilding project. He’s being actively pursued by the Blackhawks. Eric Cole (one goal in 9 games) is 30 going on 40 but would be an attractive pick-up for a playoff team at the deadline. He’s one of those players who’s reputation is greater than his performance on the ice. Same goes for Scott Walker (2/2/4) who is 36. Then there’s the player who’s name I can’t bare to type. The great enigma has 2 goals and 7 points (-11) and gets tons of time on the top lines. He was just re-signed in 2008 so I’m not sure if he will be going anywhere soon. He’s not the type of player you can trust or rely on. Memories of his time in Montreal still brings out the dark side of me.
"soft market that may not be able to handle..."
“.. a few years of missing the playoffs,”
You would think that someone writing about hockey in Montreal would know something about hockey, wouldn’t you? Evidently that is no longer a job requirement.
This market has survived slumps. Good lord did they not watch this team from 1997-2001?
2002-03 through 2004-05? 2006-07 through 2007/08?
by DidJussiThat? on Nov 17, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Man 02-03 was terrible…and awesome at the same time, totally upgraded down to the third or fourth row every night.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Nov 17, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
LOL… there was nothing awesome about 02-03… we shall never speak of this again…
03-04 (to me) was worse though…. Remember Jamie Stoor? (try not to cry laugh…. )
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 17, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions
Jamie Storr was money in da bank…. If you were betting against us. He had no wins for us! But if I remember correctly he had dragons on his mask, so he had that going for him!
by wylde4canes on Nov 17, 2009 5:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I also enjoy how they write that Matt Cullen is “being actively pursued by the Blackhawks.” As if the author has a direct line to Blackhawks ownership and they told him the names of players who they are “actively pursuing.”
Matt Cullen may end up w/ Chicago…. but how could some “writer” in the Q know with such certainty who is and who is not being “actively pursued…” ???
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 17, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
No Sympathy
Price gets no sympathy from me. The Habs were so enamored of Price that by the trade deadline of the ’07-08 season they basically gave C.Huet to the Washington Capitals, who then rode Huet past the ’Canes on the last day of the season. Our hockey universe was forever changed.
And to think.....
….it only took a 3rd round pick to get Huet. We should have picked him up if only to keep someone else from getting him.
it always burns within
the downward spiral never ends
when driven into sin
your salvation's found in a sinner's deed
by Douchebag St John on Nov 17, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions
Why did we need Huet? (Sarcastically) We had John F-ing Graham……
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Nov 17, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
The real problem...
I like Halak as a “true” backup in this league. It’s a tough position to fill because you don’t want to play a guy who is a starter as your back up, which often leaves backup goalies as either AHL call ups or Starter rejects.
I’m not sure Halak can be a starter and he’s certainly not the anti-Price (pun intended). If Price isn’t their answer in goal or doesn’t develop into it, they’re got to look beyond Halak for the solution.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Nov 17, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions
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