Comments on: Offseason playbook: Goalies http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies Colorado Avalanche recaps, stats and analysis Sun, 27 Jul 2008 00:47:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Scott http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4707 Scott Sat, 10 May 2008 06:16:27 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4707 Budaj actually had a better win % than Theo this year (16-10 vs. Theo's 28-21). I thought it was pretty evident that Theo was pushed into the starting role rather than he earned it. Either Q or Giguere was determined to make Theo the starter. I guess we'll find out the culprit in free agency. Budaj actually had a better win % than Theo this year (16-10 vs. Theo’s 28-21). I thought it was pretty evident that Theo was pushed into the starting role rather than he earned it. Either Q or Giguere was determined to make Theo the starter. I guess we’ll find out the culprit in free agency.

]]> By: Savage33 http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4705 Savage33 Sat, 10 May 2008 01:10:01 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4705 I seem to recall Theo failing for 2 and a half years I seem to recall Theo failing for 2 and a half years

]]> By: Thomas http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4682 Thomas Wed, 07 May 2008 23:54:38 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4682 Theodore was never given the starting job until Jan of this season. Once it was given to him, he never lost it and he was very successful. Theodore was never given the starting job until Jan of this season. Once it was given to him, he never lost it and he was very successful.

]]> By: David Driscoll-Carignan http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4681 David Driscoll-Carignan Wed, 07 May 2008 22:48:06 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4681 Funny, I can remember Theodore failing when HE was given the starting role, and then failing in his backup role... Funny, I can remember Theodore failing when HE was given the starting role, and then failing in his backup role…

]]> By: Thomas http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4676 Thomas Wed, 07 May 2008 21:18:54 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4676 Budaj was already given his chance, and he failed. That's why Theo was able to take the job from him. He failed when he was given the starting role, and he failed again in his backup role. Budaj is nothing more than a filler. I like the guy (a lot more than Theodore), but he's not an NHL starter. Theodore quite clearly is. Budaj is also 26 years old, so the idea that he's still got time to develop is wishful thinking. He is what he is - a mediocre NHL backup. Budaj was already given his chance, and he failed. That’s why Theo was able to take the job from him. He failed when he was given the starting role, and he failed again in his backup role. Budaj is nothing more than a filler. I like the guy (a lot more than Theodore), but he’s not an NHL starter. Theodore quite clearly is.

Budaj is also 26 years old, so the idea that he’s still got time to develop is wishful thinking. He is what he is - a mediocre NHL backup.

]]> By: Scott http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4674 Scott Wed, 07 May 2008 20:59:38 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4674 My two proposed changes to goaltending for next year: 1) Get rid of Coach Q 2) Keep Jeff Hackett at all costs. When I saw Hackett was signed as our goaltending coach I thought we were doomed. I didn't think much of him as a goalie, but he was an incredible asset this year as a coach. I don't believe Theo is the answer (I'd rather have Huet) and I wouldn't mind giving Budaj a chance as a starter - he's earned it. If they keep Budaj and Theo, they really should give Peter a chance with another team (he's young, low cap number, and arguably the best backup in the league - in other words he's an incredible trade asset). I trust Hackett and his abilities, while I can't see coach Q ever having an elite goaltender at any stop in the NHL. His handling of netminders in St Louis was a disaster and it's spilled over into his stint with the Avs as well. My two proposed changes to goaltending for next year:

1) Get rid of Coach Q
2) Keep Jeff Hackett at all costs.

When I saw Hackett was signed as our goaltending coach I thought we were doomed. I didn’t think much of him as a goalie, but he was an incredible asset this year as a coach. I don’t believe Theo is the answer (I’d rather have Huet) and I wouldn’t mind giving Budaj a chance as a starter - he’s earned it. If they keep Budaj and Theo, they really should give Peter a chance with another team (he’s young, low cap number, and arguably the best backup in the league - in other words he’s an incredible trade asset).

I trust Hackett and his abilities, while I can’t see coach Q ever having an elite goaltender at any stop in the NHL. His handling of netminders in St Louis was a disaster and it’s spilled over into his stint with the Avs as well.

]]> By: Thomas http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4665 Thomas Wed, 07 May 2008 15:53:41 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4665 If Theo is willing to return (which would probably mean that Idiot has to go), the Avs will have to re-sign him. They have no other choice. He's the best goalie available, and the second best, Huet, is not going anywhere. None of the other guys available is by any stretch a starter. If the Avs were to go with Budaj, that would be an immediate concession that this will be a rebuilding year. I'd imagine that Sakic, Forsberg, Foote and Brunette would leave if Theo weren't re-signed, as I doubt any of them are willing to sit through a rebuilding process at this stage in their career. So, Sakic fans, you better pray Theo is ok with returning, and that FG gives him whatever it takes to keep him. Otherwise, I can't imagine he'd stay. If Theo is willing to return (which would probably mean that Idiot has to go), the Avs will have to re-sign him. They have no other choice. He’s the best goalie available, and the second best, Huet, is not going anywhere. None of the other guys available is by any stretch a starter.

If the Avs were to go with Budaj, that would be an immediate concession that this will be a rebuilding year. I’d imagine that Sakic, Forsberg, Foote and Brunette would leave if Theo weren’t re-signed, as I doubt any of them are willing to sit through a rebuilding process at this stage in their career.

So, Sakic fans, you better pray Theo is ok with returning, and that FG gives him whatever it takes to keep him. Otherwise, I can’t imagine he’d stay.

]]> By: Mike the Avs Fan http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4638 Mike the Avs Fan Tue, 06 May 2008 05:39:50 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4638 I agree with Americanario 100%. 2 years, $6mil total, throw in some hefty performance-based bonuses. I would say make those bonuses pretty big, like an extra $500k if he gets 30 wins, and another $1mil if he gets to the playoffs. I mean, if he does play that well, then it's fully worth paying that extra cash, but if he doesn't, then he won't get any. It's a very good idea. I agree with Americanario 100%. 2 years, $6mil total, throw in some hefty performance-based bonuses. I would say make those bonuses pretty big, like an extra $500k if he gets 30 wins, and another $1mil if he gets to the playoffs. I mean, if he does play that well, then it’s fully worth paying that extra cash, but if he doesn’t, then he won’t get any. It’s a very good idea.

]]> By: Americanario http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4635 Americanario Tue, 06 May 2008 01:07:30 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4635 Sign Theo for 2yrs at 6mil (3mil each year) with some kind of bonus if he remains #1 and/or takes us into the playoffs; if deals like that are still possible. If Theo won't deal than we let him go and give Budaj the helm...let Bacashua, Wieman and Wall battle it out for backup. Sign Theo for 2yrs at 6mil (3mil each year) with some kind of bonus if he remains #1 and/or takes us into the playoffs; if deals like that are still possible.

If Theo won’t deal than we let him go and give Budaj the helm…let Bacashua, Wieman and Wall battle it out for backup.

]]> By: David Driscoll-Carignan http://inthecheapseats.com/avs-notebook/05-05-2008/offseason-playbook-goalies#comment-4622 David Driscoll-Carignan Mon, 05 May 2008 19:25:34 +0000 http://inthecheapseats.com/?p=563#comment-4622 I have to admit, as well as he played down the stretch, there's a big part of me that would just prefer to go in a different direction. As well as he turned out, it took a long time to get there and I'd be loathe to revisit the bad times again I have to admit, as well as he played down the stretch, there’s a big part of me that would just prefer to go in a different direction. As well as he turned out, it took a long time to get there and I’d be loathe to revisit the bad times again

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