At the Olympic level or at a World Cup event it is not uncommon for a team to carry three goaltenders into a tournament. But an NHL team at the tail end of the season in a playoff race? There is not much precedent for that.
But precedent is out the window for the Capitals now. The team welcomed goalie Cristobal Huet to practice Thursday after he was acquired at Tuesday’s trade deadline. He joins 18-year veteran Olie Kolzig and backup Brent Johnson in a situation none of the three goalies expected or wanted.
“In this situation it’s hard to keep all three [goalies] sharp so we want at least two sharp,” said Caps coach Bruce Boudreau, who kept Johnson on the bench during Thursday’s practice. “Everything is by ear.”
Huet, 32, was the clear No. 1 starter in Montreal. But he is an unrestricted free agent and the Canadiens have 20-year-old phenom Carey Price ready to take over. Given more playing time in recent months, Johnson, 30, has found a new level of consistency in his game.
And then there is Kolzig, who has faced mounting criticism. His numbers — .890 save percentage, 42nd in the NHL, and 2.98 GAA, 39th overall — fuel whispers that his time with the Caps is near the end.
“I’ve had to do so many interviews this year about ‘why have you slowed down, why are your numbers so bad?’” said Kolzig, who earlier this season told his wife he would retire. “It’s really frustrating. I know there’s been a lot of guys trying to hang on and they sound like they’re the only ones that believe they can still play. I know I can still play. It’s not a question of believe. I know I can still play.”
But it is telling that the Caps have yet to offer Kolzig a contract for next year. General Manager George McPhee said Tuesday he spoke with Kolzig about the future, but declined to discuss details of that conversation. Meanwhile, Johnson is the lone goalie under contract for next season yet his year is likely done.
“At the end of the season anything can happen,” Johnson said. “But who wants to sit out the next 20 games? I certainly don’t. Olie doesn’t. I’m sure Huet doesn’t. One of us has got to be the odd man out and it looks like its me.”
