Cristobal is Our Guy… says Stan Bowman

Newly appointed Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman does not buy into the notion that his team doesn’t have the goaltending to compete. Considered by many to be the next up and coming team various skeptics have suggested that Cristobal Huet won’t be able to supply the quality goaltending that Nikolai Khabibulin did. When Khabibulin signed with the Edmonton Oilers this past off-season Bowman didn’t hesitate in announcing that Huet who signed a four year 20 million dollar contract in 2007 would be the starting goalie. “Huet’s best game is excellent, and with the change to him being the guy, he’ll be able to get in that groove a little bit easier,” Bowman said. This 33 year-old who was chosen seventh round by the Los Angeles Kings in 2001 had an inconsistent first season in the windy city where he won just 20 games and posted a 2.53 GAA. During the seasons stretch drive Huet who has 103 career wins lot his job to Khabibulin who played a key role in the Blackhawks making it to the Conference Finals where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings. This summer Huet is preparing himself not only to be more consistent but also to handle a bigger workload. “It’s a good chance for me to show, especially here in Chicago, that I can play and respond,” Huet said. “I look forward to that, playing more games and competing every night. There will be a lot of things that are different for me. I want to rebound.”

Bowman believes that it’s common for players in the first year of a big contract to struggle because they want to justify that they are worth what they signed for and as a result put to much pressure on themselves. Bowman mentioned Khabibulin as an example. In year one of a lucrative four year deal signed right after the lockout he had a below par season where he won only 17 games with a 3.35 GAA. After that first year the real Khabibulin was on display as he averaged 24.3 wins over the next three years with a lower goals against average. “His first year here was his worst,” Bowman said. “He got better and better as our team got better and better.” Prior to signing with the Hawks Huet played his best hockey with the Washington Capitals where in 2008 he went 11-2 with a .936 save percentage and a 1.63 GAA in the 13 final regular season games he played with the Caps after being traded from the Montreal Canadiens at the March deadline. “In some ways, he may be one of those guys that thrive when he is the guy,” Bowman said. “Last year he never got in that rhythm because he didn’t play regularly. When he has shown that he is going to be given the responsibility, he has had a better record than when he tends to be rotating in and out.” Huet is ready to silence his many critics and prove once and for all that yes he can excel as a number one goalie.