Jose Theodore's Last Chance at Greatness

Back in 1995, the Montreal Canadiens had the best goaltender in hockey. And to be a great goalie in Montreal is to be a demigod, especially if you have twice led Les Glorieux to the Stanley Cup.

But the 1995-96 season did not begin well for the Canadiens or their star. So in a blockbuster deal, Patrick Roy was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for a package of players. Colorado went on to win a pair of Stanley Cups with Roy in net. The Canadiens haven't had a sniff since.

Today, the Canadiens banished another fallen goalie to Colorado. Jose Theodore, the toast of Montreal a few short years ago, has lately been a favorite whipping boy of the Canadiens faithful. In return, Montreal gets David Aebischer, Colorado's starting goaltender since Roy retired.

No doubt the Avalanche suspect they fleeced the Canadiens for another champion, rescuing one more great goalie from the soap opera of Montreal hockey. But the comparison is a lame one.

Theodore couldn't carry Roy's jockstrap, as the old saying goes. For all the hype surrounding his name, Jose has turned in as many mediocre years as good ones. His off-ice life just gets more bizarre, and he can't play again until he recovers from a fractured heel. (He fell down the steps last month. It's been that kind of year.)

The next couple of seasons will tell the tale on Jose Theodore. A late-blooming genius between the pipes? Or just another guy who had a couple of great seasons and faded away?