Spatso launched a thread called:

Gainey ruined Price!

I'll go all Skalapy on you and say:

'Nuff Said!

To me, Spatso lost all credibility when he launched that thread thinking Price was ruined because he was not elite in his first two years in the League.

He was insistent Halak was and would forever be the best goalie.

Let's not forget that Price played a whopping 12 games in the AHL before being promoted to the NHL. When people complained about Price's early NHL career, Gainey said Price is a thoroughbred and he can only learn at the NHL level.

Who was right? As many (frank) ups Gainey made (Gomez/McDonagh fiasco), on the Price situation, I don't think he could have handled it any better. He had absolutely nothing to learn in the AHL.
- habman75

Obviously he was not ruined.

But, in his 10 games in the first pro season, in the AHL, he had an .896 sv%, 6-4 record. He went on to play reasonably well in the NHL that season, but wasn't exactly stellar in the next few NHL seasons, posting pretty average (at best) stats, losing his job to two separate goalies, and struggling at times. Hell, crying on camera.

Did it work out in the end? Sure. But to say he couldn't have benefitted from a little more time in the AHL is not necessarily true.

Obviously he was not ruined.

But, in his 10 games in the first pro season, in the AHL, he had an .896 sv%, 6-4 record. He went on to play reasonably well in the NHL that season, but wasn't exactly stellar in the next few NHL seasons, posting pretty average (at best) stats, losing his job to two separate goalies, and struggling at times. Hell, crying on camera.

Did it work out in the end? Sure. But to say he couldn't have benefitted from a little more time in the AHL is not necessarily true.
- prock

I hear what you are saying. But do me a favor and have a look at his AHL roster during those 12 games. As bad as the Habs were, the Bulldogs were a total cluster(frank) when compared. Gainey did the right thing, (for once), and the proof is in the pudding....

MMMM, Butterscoth pudding and whiskey. I will probably regret it, but (frank) it!!!

I hear what you are saying. But do me a favor and have a look at his AHL roster during those 12 games. As bad as the Habs were, the Bulldogs were a total cluster(frank) when compared. Gainey did the right thing, (for once), and the proof is in the pudding....

MMMM, Butterscoth pudding and whiskey. I will probably regret it, but (frank) it!!!
- habman75

Like I say, he had his struggles. Would he be better if he had stayed a year in the AHL, and wasn't dumped into the fire? who knows, not you or I. Price had his troubles for 4 or 5 years though. He may have had them anyway, but to say Gainey did the right thing is definitely arguable.

Like I say, he had his struggles. Would he be better if he had stayed a year in the AHL, and wasn't dumped into the fire? who knows, not you or I. Price had his troubles for 4 or 5 years though. He may have had them anyway, but to say Gainey did the right thing is definitely arguable.
- prock

Perhaps. But look at Price today, even with his early struggles, I simply have to give Gainey the edge here.

Just look at Patrick Roy's early stats. He did not become the defacto number one goalie until his fifth year with the Habs. He pretty much split the duties with Penny/Hayward.

Price became the number one in his third. And all but his first, and the lockout season, he has had more than respectable stats considering his age and experience.

Perhaps. But look at Price today, even with his early struggles, I simply have to give Gainey the edge here.

Just look at Patrick Roy's early stats. He did not become the defacto number one goalie until his fifth year with the Habs. He pretty much split the duties with Penny/Hayward.

Price became the number one in his third. And all but his first, and the lockout season, he has had more than respectable stats considering his age and experience.
- habman75

This is the thing about the whole idea of pushing them into the NHL too early. No one REALLY knows if it makes a difference. Maybe the guys that start in the NHL at 18 and get "ruined" were just not that great to begin with. Maybe they just peaked early.

You can't really say whether a management decision to play them in the AHL or NHL makes any difference at all.

Price was the number one in his third season, but was forced into it. And lost his job to Halak down the stretch.

Everything worked out for him. You don't know if Gainey's actions changed that at all. And if they did, who's to say it didn't just delay it by a couple of years.

It doesn't really matter at this point. I'm just not convinced it was the right thing to do, at all.

Spatso launched a thread called:

Gainey ruined Price!

I'll go all Skalapy on you and say:

'Nuff Said!

To me, Spatso lost all credibility when he launched that thread thinking Price was ruined because he was not elite in his first two years in the League.

He was insistent Halak was and would forever be the best goalie.

Let's not forget that Price played a whopping 12 games in the AHL before being promoted to the NHL. When people complained about Price's early NHL career, Gainey said Price is a thoroughbred and he can only learn at the NHL level.

Who was right? As many (frank) ups Gainey made (Gomez/McDonagh fiasco), on the Price situation, I don't think he could have handled it any better. He had absolutely nothing to learn in the AHL.
- habman75

I do remember there was a pretty even split between Hab fans when Halak was traded, some wanted Price traded, others were ok with the trade.

I do remember there was a pretty even split between Hab fans when Halak was traded, some wanted Price traded, others were ok with the trade.
- D0PPELGANGER

I do'nt think there were too many that wanted price traded, so much as kept as backup for a time before taking over the starting job.