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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 2911204" data-attributes="member: 2012">Canadiens re-sign Huet to a 2-year dealCanadian Press6/26/2006 12:08:42 PMMONTREAL (CP) - Cristobal Huet wanted the Canadiens and Montreal wanted him, so the French goalkeeper signed a two-year, $5.75-million US deal to remain with the NHL club.Huet is scheduled to earn $3 million this season and $2.75 million in 2007-'08. Huet, who earned $456,000 last season, gave up a chance at unrestricted free agency to return to the site of his breakthrough 2005-'06 campaign."I never hid the fact that coming back to Montreal was a priority," Huet said during a conference call Monday from his home in Grenoble, France. "And the fact that they were interested in having me was a big factor."The organization is great. I know what to expect and the team is good and getting better every year. That was important for me in re-signing with Montreal. I saw no reason to look anywhere else."Huet posted an 18-11-4 record with seven shutouts, a 2.20 goals-against average and a league-best .929 save percentage in 36 regular-season games.More importantly, he resolved a disastrous situation in goal in mid-season when former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner Jose Theodore struggled and the team was falling out of the NHL Eastern Conference playoff race.Huet's solid play allowed the Canadiens to claim seventh place and take eventual Stanley Cup-champion Carolina to six games in the first round.It also allowed general manager Bob Gainey to trade Theodore and his hefty contract to the Colorado Avalanche for goalie David Aebischer, a restricted free agent who will be given a qualifying offer to stay in Montreal."We were hoping to get Cristobal signed," said Gainey. "We had a good start to our relationship last year and I think it can continue and grow."The signing left Aebischer's status in doubt.The Swiss goalie, who earned $1.9 million last season, was relegated to backup status by Huet. The Canadiens also have Yann Danis, who may be ready to move up from AHL Hamilton.Gainey did not rule out trying to trade Aebischer."Anything's possible," said Gainey. "We feel that Yann Danis is best served continuing his development, whether it's in Hamilton or as a part-time player in Montreal."Cristobal won the position of starting goaltender for the important games at the end of the season and in the playoffs. It's uncertain what our team will look like in September - in goal or at other positions."Huet showed he could perform under the pressure of the postseason by registering a 2.33 GAA and a .929 save percentage.He was acquired, along with centre Radek Bonk, from the Los Angeles Kings in 2004 for goalie Mathieu Garon and a third-round draft pick.The signing left defenceman Francis Bouillon as Gainey's next priority before unrestricted free agents go on the market Saturday.Gainey said he will be looking for offensive help, but if Bouillon doesn't sign, he'll also need a defenceman. The stocky Bouillon had a strong 2005-06 season while earning only $600,000.As usual, Gainey gave no indication of which players he may go after."We'll be prepared Saturday to participate in free agency and see who is available," he said. "A lot of teams now have to take the black marker and take Cristobal Huet's name off their lists."There will be others who are free agents and we'll see if there are players we can pursue."Even with Huet off the list, the goaltending situation retains  particular interest going into Saturday.Already, Florida has sent Roberto Luongo to Vancouver and Boston dealt Andrew Raycroft to Toronto. Goalies Marc Denis of Columbus, Martin Biron of Buffalo and Evgeni Nabokov (and his large contract) of San Jose are also believed to be available for a trade.</blockquote>

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