No NHL comeback for Cristobal Huet, signs 4-year deal with Swiss team
Cristobal Huet has not played in the NHL since the 2009-10 season when he lost the starting gig to Antti Niemi as the Chicago Blackhawks made their way to winning the Stanley Cup. His $5.625 million cap hit was a target to disappear as the Blackhawks dealt with salary cap hell that summer and Huet ended up on loan to Swiss club Fribourg-Gotteron on a one-year agreement. The agreement was renewed for this past season, the last one on Huet's four-year, $22.5 million contract.
This summer, now a free agent, Huet was talking about an NHL comeback. "I still belong, I'm better than some other guys, and I'd like another shot," the soon-to-be 37-year-old Huet told Kevin Woodley of InGoal Magazine. Despite telling a French website he had discussions with the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, Huet decided to sign a four-year deal with Lausanne HC of the Swiss National B, a second division side.
From Laussane:
"We are very pleased to welcome Cristobal in Lausanne. His professionalism, work ethic and natural leadership are all assets and examples in the locker room," stated Jan Alston, Sports Director of the Lausanne Hockey Club.
After an opening season with Fribourg-Gotteron that saw him play 41 games and post a 2.83 GAA and .919 save-percentage, Huet improved last season appearing 39 times and putting up a 1.99 GAA and .932 save percentage.
Huet will join up with his new club on Monday as it prepares for its opening game on Sept. 14.
Stick-tap Matias Strozyk
Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy
