Canadiens Sign Alex Auld

[HordiBrusk29]

MONTREAL -- Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Thursday the signing of netminder Alex Auld to a one-year contract (2010-11). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Auld, 29, split the 2009-10 NHL season with the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers playing a total of 24 games with a record of 9 wins, 7 losses and 3 overtime losses. Auld compiled an 2.95 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.

In his 8th NHL season in 2009-10, Auld recorded 83 wins, including six by shutout, in 207 regular season games since he first joined the NHL in 2001-2002. The 6’4’’ and 216 lbs goaltender maintained a 2.78 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. Auld also earned a win in four NHL playoff games. In 2005-06 he ranked 8th among NHL netminders with a season total of 33 wins.

Born in Cold Lake, AB, Auld was a second-round selection, 40th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to last season, Auld had played with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators during his NHL career.

[caps05]

1 year, $1 million.

[antonio106]

A veteran backup goalie who will be very much in the running for the top spot next to Carey Price. Yeah, Ottawa was there two years ago. Worked out great.

Sorry Habs fans. This guy's a serviceable backup, but with Price, you'll need him to start 45-60 games for you.

[Habs # 1]

Originally Posted by antonio106

A veteran backup goalie who will be very much in the running for the top spot next to Carey Price. Yeah, Ottawa was there two years ago. Worked out great.

Sorry Habs fans. This guy's a serviceable backup, but with Price, you'll need him to start 45-60 games for you.

Careys numbers are good but he lets in softies at the most critical time in the game.

[bengino]

i don't like this signing at all, sure he's cheap, but there IS a reason he can't keep a job.

[antonio106]

Originally Posted by bengino

i don't like this signing at all, sure he's cheap, but there IS a reason he can't keep a job.

Like I said, he's a serviceable backup. He hovers around .900 careerwise. He's never had a truly horrible stretch as far as I remember. The past four years he's played behind some truly bad teams and managed to post decent numbers.

[peacemaker]

He will never stink out the joint, but will make it very painfully evident to everyone in Mtl, he is a career backup.

2" shorter, and we are talking about a career minor leaguer.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by antonio106

Like I said, he's a serviceable backup. He hovers around .900 careerwise. He's never had a truly horrible stretch as far as I remember. The past four years he's played behind some truly bad teams and managed to post decent numbers.

we don't NEED a backup, Carey will flop under the pressure of Montreal and Auld will probably be already down there to cushion his fall. hoo fukcin rah.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by bengino

we don't NEED a backup, Carey will flop under the pressure of Montreal and Auld will probably be already down there to cushion his fall. hoo fukcin rah.

You Habs fans are way too harsh on Price. It's rather ridiculous, IMO. Obviously Habs management don't consider Price a back up goaltender. So in that sense, yes, you do need a back up which is why Auld was signed.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

You Habs fans are way too harsh on Price. It's rather ridiculous, IMO. Obviously Habs management don't consider Price a back up goaltender. So in that sense, yes, you do need a back up which is why Auld was signed.

Too harsh? have you been watching the guy since he was brought to Montreal? I have been and Price is an AVERAGE goalie at best so far in his career. I posted his numbers in the Halak trade thread to back up my case, Price was CONFRONTED by Markov because of his attitude, he truly needed to mature in the A longer then he did.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by bengino

Too harsh? have you been watching the guy since he was brought to Montreal? I have been and Price is an AVERAGE goalie at best so far in his career. I posted his numbers in the Halak trade thread to back up my case, Price was CONFRONTED by Markov because of his attitude, he truly needed to mature in the A longer then he did.

Jesus the guy is only 22 years old for christ sakes. He was rushed too quickly into the NHL and he's been criticized beyond belief. It's really pathetic. I've been watching Price since his days in junior and he's a great goaltender. He will only get better in time. Although at this rate he'll only succeed some place other than Montreal due to so many morons running him out of town.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

Jesus the guy is only 22 years old for christ sakes. He was rushed too quickly into the NHL and he's been criticized beyond belief. It's really pathetic. I've been watching Price since his days in junior and he's a great goaltender. He will only get better in time. Although at this rate he'll only succeed some place other than Montreal due to so many morons running him out of town.

I'm sorry if i'm a moron, but it's just true. The team simply doesn't trust Carey either so it's not just the fans.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by bengino

I'm sorry if i'm a moron, but it's just true. The team simply doesn't trust Carey either so it's not just the fans.

It's far from true. Price is very young, writing him off would be a huge mistake. And obviously the team does trust Carey, they traded Halak.

[antonio106]

Originally Posted by bengino

we don't NEED a backup, Carey will flop under the pressure of Montreal and Auld will probably be already down there to cushion his fall. hoo fukcin rah.

Which is why I said it was a bad deal. They traded Halak at what will likely be his greatest trade value ever, but they needed a veteran starter for now. Biron would have been better.

[HordiBrusk29]

For the record I wasn't specifically calling you a moron. I just think there are a lot of people including fans and the media that are out to lunch regarding Price. Give the kid an opportunity to succeed. A goaltender his age isn't likely to be a stud right from the get go. He had a great first season and he's struggled since then. That isn't really that surprising. It happens to most goaltenders. If Carey is still struggling once he's in his mid to late 20's then maybe you have a reason to want him gone. But at this point it's premature and ridiculous, IMO.