General Manager Bob Gainey raised more than a few eyebrows when he traded away star netminder Cristobal Huet at the trading deadline last season. Montreal was well on their way to the playoffs, and was ready to do some serious damage. Why would they be selling at the deadline?

Why? Because Bob Gainey, my friends, is a hockey genius. Montreal is a young team and are only getting better. Although they finished 1st in the Eastern Conference with 104 points, they would have been in some tough competition against the powerhouse Western Conference, that is if they even made it to the finals with Huet. Gainey did a smart thing, believe it or not. He gave Carey Price a tremendous head start in his career. Carey Price has a reputation of never cracking under pressure, a quality that shone bright during the 2006-2007 Calder Cup playoffs. The Stanley Cup playoffs has some of the most intense pressure an NHL player will face in their entire lives. Carey Price faced that pressure at age 20.

Although he did start to show some cracks, Carey Price gained valuable experience as the #1 man during the 2008 playoffs. This upcoming season, the Habs will probably be in the same situation again. They will be one of the top teams heading into the playoffs. Won’t Canadiens fans feel more comfortable knowing they have a goaltender with playoff experience going into it? Huet would have surely walked after the season if he wasn’t dealt at the deadline, leaving the Canadiens with an unproven young prodigy in net.

Price has the skill and the mind to be one of the top goaltenders in the league for years to come, and he may reach that plateau sooner than fans may think. Next year I expect Price to lead the way in many of the stat categories for goaltenders, surpassing perennial all-stars such as Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo. It’s not as far-fetched as it seems. Carey Price is a once-in-a-generation type of goaltender, and I expect big things out of him this year.

The back-up spot for the Habs will likely be locked up by Jaroslav Halak, another young and exciting goalie, unless either Marc Denis or Cedrick Desjardins really start to rip it up in the minors. We may see a same situation as we did last year, where the Habs may send Halak down to Hamilton to get some work, to stay fresh, and they may let Denis or Desjardins get some action.

Last season’s focus for the Canadiens was on their potent offense, while this season may be the year of the netminder. Get ready Montreal, you’re in for a ride.

Tags: carey price, cedrick desjardins, goaltending, jaroslav halak, marc denis, montreal canadiens