The "Extend Budaj" Bandwagon

[M.C.G. 31]

He's a great damn backup that can fill in whenever. I don't know if there will be many other backups like him on the market this year, so lock him up for two or three years.

 

[Nedved]

I was hoping to see what tokarski could do in the net. Appears to be playing well in hamilton, and he's a young guy. that said, I hope budaj returns next year but if he wants he can probably find a team to compete for the #1 spot.

Lots of teams that run with the hot hand, and right now he could be getting much more action with a few different teams with his recent play.

 

[Bryson]

It must be hard to have a great performance and then sit the next game. Budaj is the perfect backup. Glad to have him on the team.

 

[Blind Gardien]

He seems like a great teammate, and that's most important. I don't think people should go too far over the top in praising his abilities as a goalie, even with good results his last few games and the brick wall he put up in the shootout, however. The bottom line is that he's not very quick or cut out technically to be a #1 guy. He's right where he should be, a backup who knows how to be a good teammate, can bail us out every once in a long while, and if - knock wood - our starter ever did go down with an injury, we wouldn't be left in a completely hopeless situation, because hey, at least we have an experienced and decent backup to throw in.

Tokarski sure looks like he's ready for a try too, though, and would be a little cheaper. But you don't mess with a good thing just to make room for the unproven and save $500k on the cap. Most teams have their goalie situation set up prior to the start of a season, there aren't a lot of cases of rookie goalies getting claimed on waivers on October 1st, so I think it's likely tough luck for Tokarski at this point. Assuming we can sign Budaj ok and all. Tokarski will probably make it through as Hamilton's #1 guy for a full year, and we can revisit the whole thing in 2014.

 

[Madevilz]

lol After his first loss, people were ready to crucify him.

In b4 "We have to get rid of Budaj" after his next bad outting.

 

[Treb]

Agree on all counts, and I'll add he has very nice hair.

I'll go one further, and I know it is almost impossible that this would happen but wouldn't it be bold and interesting if MT used Budaj as a shootout specialist? Price has always seemed to struggle in shootouts.

Wouldn't really count on last game to see Budaj as SO specialist. Bruins player had pitiful SO attempt or missed the net.

 

[AmeriHab]

You have to respect the flow he's got too

 

[AcadiaAxeMan]

Also extend Ryder for ONE year - there's spots open on the team for wingers for next year even if we resign him - like the shot and what he offers - same salary. (3.5?)

 

[Monctonscout]

Also extend Ryder for ONE year - there's spots open on the team for wingers for next year even if we resign him - like the shot and what he offers - same salary. (3.5?)

I think Ryder will cost a fair bit more than 3.5 mil/year.

The last 2 years he has put up 45-42-87 in 112 games. Even with the cap going down, I see him getting a nice raise and 3-4 year contract because the UFA market minus Perry and Getzlaf(plus probably other top guys by July 1st) is pretty bare.

As a UFA he may max out at 4 years 20-21 mil...with a home town discount maybe we can extend him for 3 years at 13.5 mil...assuming MB sees him in the plans long term.

 

[Shaby23]

Remember when everyone hated him at the start of the season? Yup and i bet the hate will comeback if he does poorly the next time.

 

[SirClintonPortis]

Slovakian goalies do well behind Carey the Fairy Price.

 

[MarkovsKnee]

He's making $1,150,000. Bump it up to $1,25m. Give him 2 years and I'll be happy. Maybe even $1,5m per year. He's a solid back-up. There might be a team out there willing to give him more and have him split duties with another keeper. He seems to like Montreal and seems to be a good teammate, so hopefully, he stays.

 

[rUmX]

He's going to have some bad games. That's why he's a backup. But if he likes and accepts his role in Montreal, knowing that he's the clear backup behind a workhorse goaltender, then I would welcome him back.

Pretty sure he already knows that. I think he's a good team guy. Don't think I've ever read about him complaining about his playing time. He's not spectacular but he gets the good done and pretty good for a backup too. We already know what we're getting in Budaj I think we should re-sign him.

 

[TennisMenace]

No way do we win last night with CP during the SO.
CP looks shaky in those, whereby Budaj looks confident and rock solid.

 

[Lshap]

He seems like a great teammate, and that's most important. I don't think people should go too far over the top in praising his abilities as a goalie, even with good results his last few games and the brick wall he put up in the shootout, however. The bottom line is that he's not very quick or cut out technically to be a #1 guy. He's right where he should be, a backup who knows how to be a good teammate, can bail us out every once in a long while, and if - knock wood - our starter ever did go down with an injury, we wouldn't be left in a completely hopeless situation, because hey, at least we have an experienced and decent backup to throw in.

Tokarski sure looks like he's ready for a try too, though, and would be a little cheaper. But you don't mess with a good thing just to make room for the unproven and save $500k on the cap. Most teams have their goalie situation set up prior to the start of a season, there aren't a lot of cases of rookie goalies getting claimed on waivers on October 1st, so I think it's likely tough luck for Tokarski at this point. Assuming we can sign Budaj ok and all. Tokarski will probably make it through as Hamilton's #1 guy for a full year, and we can revisit the whole thing in 2014.

Yup. Right on. Budaj is built for this exact role. Lesser workload, lower expectations. Every goalie has a different water-level of how many games can be played at peak efficiency. Beyond that their concentration and physical energy begins to suffer. Price's 70-game seasons are a ridiculously high level that most goalies can't match. Halak was the perfect half-season guy. Budaj is great in the limited role we've seen. Sign the guy. He fits, he competes, he's earned it.

 

[Lshap]

No way do we win last night with CP during the SO.
CP looks shaky in those, whereby Budaj looks confident and rock solid.

Price has improved a lot when it comes to those damnable shoot-outs. Impossible to say of course, but I don't think we lose if Price was in nets. The Bruins's shooters didn't do very much.

Let's just consider it a huge bonus to have such a cool backup goalie.

 

[Analyzer*]

Next time Budaj plays he'll let a goal in on his first shot and there will be people saying he's got to go.

I thought with the acquisition of Tokarski that Budaj might be expendable.

 

[Subnordi]

Budaj is the type of goalie that would be playing 20 games max behind a superstar workhorse like Carey Price. Peter's been solid this season but by no means has the explosive power and mental makeup of Carey. I say we sign him 1-2 years at 1.35 per year, then see what Tokarski can do in the backup role.

 

[TennisMenace]

Price has improved a lot when it comes to those damnable shoot-outs. Impossible to say of course, but I don't think we lose if Price was in nets. The Bruins's shooters didn't do very much.

Let's just consider it a huge bonus to have such a cool backup goalie.

I was a bit peeved that Price started both games, especially the way Budaj has played this year. Let the man stay sharp.

 

[BobbyFischer*]

Aren't hockey players getting paid by the games they play? Or is it different for goalies?

Either way,
Price lets 4 in his a horkhorse.
Backup goalie lets 1 in his just a backup goalie.

Budaj plays next game, Price sits. If Budaj wins Budaj plays the game after.

Give Price the time to earn his spot for once...

Agreed