Peter Budaj's PR Improving, If Slowly

by Joe Dunman on Oct 28, 2008 9:47 AM MDT in News Comment 26 comments

If you read nothing but the Denver Post, the Hockey News, or most other traditional hockey media outlets, you'd think Peter Budaj was the worst starting goaltender in the entire National Hockey League. Ever. Even though Avalanche blogs like this one have been carefully documenting his strengths, his past successes and pointing out the ridiculously harmful experience he endured under former coach Joel Quenneville, Budaj has been goalie non grata for a couple of months now.

His 0-3 record to start the season didn't help much.

But since he got a couple of games off to collect himself and adjust his play, gotten a few bounces to go his way, and enjoyed a more solid defense in front of him, he's returned to the form many of us knew he had all along. He's gone 3-0, put up a goals against average of 1.62 and a save percentage of .941. The NHL named him the second star of the week, sparking comments like this on the Denver Post site:

Gotta give Boods credit, there probably wasn't a person in Avalanche Country who believed in this guy...including the locker room. Hopefully he can keep it up for about 60 more games!

Yeah, not a person in Avalanche Country except for the several hundred members and readers of Mile High Hockey, Jibblescribbits, In The Cheap Seats, AvsTalk and others.

I've also received emails from journalists and other hockey big wigs (yes, I get emails from "important" people much to my surprise) expressing shock and amazement at Budaj's recent strong performances. My response to them: it was only a surprise to people who didn't pay attention.

Peter Budaj's stock is improving. He's got a long way to go to change many people's minds (for some, anything less than the Vezina won't be enough), but so far he's doing pretty well. If his defense can keep it together, and he stays loose, he'll be fine. No doubt in my mind. I don't buy the idea that Tony Granato or his Avalanche teammates ever lost confidence in him (especially for three one-goal losses), and I can't foresee a scenario in which they ever would. Well, a scenario that doesn't involve a massive meltdown of some sort, of course.

I still believe in Peter Budaj.

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Comments

Let me know when it’s best to sell my 39 cents invested in Budaj stocks.

26 Card Jet

by Tommelot on Oct 28, 2008 10:10 AM MDT reply actions

His stock is definitely a “buy” right now.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 28, 2008 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions

Would it be safe to say that his play has been Budacious?

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 28, 2008 10:26 AM MDT reply actions

Oh god, I was afraid someone was going to go there.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 28, 2008 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions

I mostly do it to annoy my friend Dan.

MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.

by Bob in Boulder on Oct 28, 2008 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions

I think his play has been more Boodiful.

"To have arrived on this Earth as a product of a biological accident, only to depart through human arrogance, would be the ultimate irony"
R. Leakey, Origins; 1977
"Two roads divurged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference"
R. Frost

by Savage33 on Oct 29, 2008 12:46 AM MDT up reply actions

I believe in Budaj

I think Budaj can shoulder the load this year. Confidence has always been a key factor for him i believe, and getting the starts after the 2 wins by raycroft have to help. Granato has shown that Budaj is his guy and i expect fewer and fewer soft goals as the year progresses. If the Avs were going to make a goalie move they probably woudl have in the off season (still kind of wish we didnt miss out of Bryzgolov). Budaj should be fine and i think he will be a servicable #1 this year.

by Kansas Avs Fan on Oct 28, 2008 10:31 AM MDT reply actions

I, too, wish the Avs had gone after Bryz last season when Anaheim put him on waivers, but they couldn’t have beaten out Phoenix, a lower team. I’ve always loved Bryzgalov. But Budaj is a fine goalie, and he’ll do fine over the course of the season—-his confidence will increase.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 28, 2008 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions

Funny thing

I posted on Hockeybuzz(I felt like being a masochist for a bit) that I believed in Budaj. Can you guess where that landed me?

by Drakenlot on Oct 28, 2008 10:52 AM MDT reply actions

Among the two or three intelligent people that, for whatever reason, still visit that site?

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe Dunman on Oct 28, 2008 11:14 AM MDT up reply actions

Good guess

I’ll give you a point since all the intelligent people there are banned, like I was.

by Drakenlot on Oct 28, 2008 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions

To be fair

When there’s a rumor that the Avs are going to acquire Ryan Miller, and Henrik Lundqvist to back him up believing in Budaj does seem like a stretch.

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 28, 2008 11:17 AM MDT up reply actions

How intelligent to you have to be to realize that ain’t happening in a million years?

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 28, 2008 12:52 PM MDT up reply actions

Not very, hence the problem on that site.

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 28, 2008 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Tongue Twister (and I don't mean tonights Goal Girl)

Coyotes Claim Ken Klee

Say that 5 times fast, I dare you

by jd21 on Oct 28, 2008 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

That

five times fast

Thanks folks i’ll be here all week. Try the veal

I believe in Peter Budaj

by Jibblescribbits on Oct 28, 2008 1:06 PM MDT up reply actions

And Shane recommends the back rubs!!

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 28, 2008 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Unfortunately, what PR Budaj’s gotten in the last three games will disappear after playing the Flames tonight. Won’t matter that the rest of the team stayed in the locker room for the third period.

Now and then we had the hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be PIRATES.
-Mark Twain-

by Americanario on Oct 28, 2008 10:21 PM MDT reply actions