Waite signed with the Canadiens on July 4, commissioned to write the next chapter — the one on which the full story is likely to hinge — in the development of Carey Price.
A 47-year-old native of Sherbrooke, perhaps destined for his current job by sharing the Canadiens’ Dec. 4 birthday, Waite had earned his NHL salary for a decade in Chicago.
He won two Stanley Cups in four seasons with the Blackhawks, reaching hockey’s pinnacle with two goaltenders for whom the expectations were modest, at best — Antti Niemi in 2010, then Corey Crawford this past June.
“With Niemi and Crawford, it was: ‘If you can just make the playoffs and win a couple of series, we’ll be happy,’ ” Waite said. “Here, Carey is so talented, the expectations are very high. He has the talent to win the whole thing. The expectations are very different compared to Chicago, but I love the challenge of that.
“You need someone very, very special to be the No. 1 goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. You must be a very special character and I think Carey is a special guy.”
..wow I didn't think expectations were that low with the team around them....
I always liked Price and wish we didn't draft 7th in 05. We took the phenom known as Jack Skillet....while the Habs took Price at #5..