This is a good blog post. I am not sure what else we could have done. I stand behind every offer and communiqué we made. I also respect the player’s right to NOT accept an offer that he said would get the deal done. Huet was an unrestricted free agent and could test the market. These things can happen.
One thing that is missing in the discussion is that we know who we have to re-sign in two and three and four years time and we also have two young goaltending prospects in the system. Who knows when they will be ready to start playing major minutes for us?
I am hopeful that Jose Theodore plays with enthusiasm as he will be playing for a contender: a young and exciting team in a great cosmopolitan city in front of a great fan base. He seems psyched to be here and he has great talent. He had a great second half of last season and a very good playoff run. I embrace him and am pleased that he is our number one goaltender for next season. Go Caps!
I think this was a good signing Ted. Huet was good but not good enough to break the bank on…I’m all for saving that money for Semin and Nicky B in the next couple years.
I think Theodore will be fine. Heck, if we resign Fedorov, how many other teams in the league will have three Hart Trophy winners on the roster?
Actually, as I said elsewhere, with the Caps (and other high-powered offense teams) the job of the goalie is to not lose games, as opposed to having to steal games. With the forwards the Caps have (and Green), a goalie doesn’t have to make 44 saves on 45 shots every night. If they go 42 for 45 that would be sufficient, as hopefully our attacking line will be putting 4 or 5 behind the opposing netminder.
On a team like Chicago, New Jersey, Atlanta, etc. it’s up to the goalie to steal 10-15 games a season. Here in DC, if Jose steals 5 or 6, the Caps will be fine.