After backstopping the Washington Capitals into the playoffs, Cristobal Huet has decided to relocate again, this time to the Windy City. Here's a look at five goalies who will be tending the pipes in a new city in 2008-09...

Cristobal Huet, Chicago Blackhawks

Huet proved beyond a shadow of a doubt during his time in Montreal that he has what it takes to be a top-notch NHL starting netminder. And after he arrived in Washington at the trade deadline, his stellar performance cemented his status as one of this summer's most important free agents. And it didn't take very long for Huet to find a new home, the Chicago Blackhawks once again dipping into the unrestricted free agent market and signing Huet to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million.

Last time the 'Hawks signed a high-profile UFA goalie, Nikolai Khabibulin turned out to be a huge disappointment. But with the rest of the Chicago roster looking far better today than in the summer of 2005, it's a good bet that the 'Hawks will be much improved with Huet taking over as the starter between the pipes and with Brian Campbell joining the blue line corps (8-year deal worth $56.8 million).

Analysis: Great signing for the 'Hawks, giving them valuable stability at what is unarguably the most important position.

José Théodore, Washington Capitals

Without question, Théodore's re-emergence as a bona fide starter during the 2007-08 season was one of the year's biggest revelations. But the former Hart Trophy winner, even at his best (in his current iteration) pales in comparison to Huet, who was one of the biggest reasons (behind only Alexander Ovechkin, if anyone) the Caps surged into the playoffs on the regular season's final day.

In order for this deal to work out for Washington, Théodore will need to play at or close to his former Hart Trophy-winning level. That scenario is quite unlikely, and given that Washington's defense isn't nearly as solid as Colorado's, it's more probable that this signing will be an unmitigated disaster for Washington.

Analysis: The Caps have taken a huge step down in goal from Théodore to Huet in what can only be described as an incredibly risky move.

Andrew Raycroft, Colorado Avalanche

Getting out of the media maelstrom in Toronto should do wonders for the laid-back Raycroft, who could might just be a perfect fit with the Avs. Colorado's defense is very solid, and Raycroft has a good shot to out-play Peter Budaj and earn the starting job. Whether Raycroft will get back to his Calder Trophy-winning level is a matter for debate, but for one year at only $800,000, the Avs have the potential to hit a home run on a very low-risk deal.

Analysis: Excellent signing, because the risk for the Avs is low, and the potential reward is enormous.

Olaf Kolzig, Tampa Bay Lightning

Young Mike Smith is the presumed starter in Tampa, but Kolzig should provide valuable competition as well as a strong veteran presence in the locker room. The Lightning have been very aggressive this offseason, and having Kolzig as a safety-net and locker room leader can only help them in their quest to return to the postseason.

Analysis: Solid signing for GM Jay Feaster.

Ty Conklin, Detroit Red Wings

When Marc-Andre Fleury and Sidney Crosby went down with high ankle sprains midway through the 2007-08 season, all Ty Conklin did was save their bacon, going on a tear that kept the Pens in the playoff hunt. But the starting job between the pipes is unquestionably Fleury's and with John Curry's strong play for the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Conklin was expendable.

For the Wings, Conklin should step in capably for Dominik Hasek, providing nice stability behind starter Chris Osgood until prospects Jimmy Howard, Stefan Liv, or Thomas McCollum are ready to compete for an NHL job.

Analysis: Excellent signing by Wings GM Ken Holland.

Patrick Lalime, Buffalo Sabres

Journeyman goalie Patrick Lalime signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday to become Ryan Miller's back-up. Lalime spent the past two seasons with Chicago, posting a 16-12-3 record with a 2.82 goals-against average in 30 appearances in 2007-08.

Analysis: Lalime is a capable fall-back, but if Miller goes down with an injury, the Sabres' playoff hopes will be all but crushed.

Curtis Joseph, Toronto Maple Leafs

He's become a bit of a journeyman, but Curtis Joseph is best known for his days with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The likely future Hall of Famer helped backstop the Leafs to the Conference Finals twice during his first tenure with the team, but now he'll most likely serve as the back-up to presumed starter Vesa Toskala.

Analysis: Low-risk signing that should curry favor with the Leafs' fans. Joseph will be a nice fit, a solid veteran presence to help Toskala manage the pressure of playing in hockey-mad Toronto.

Alex Auld, Ottawa Senators

The Ray Emery era in Ottawa officially came to an end on Tuesday with the signing of Alexander Auld, who will now serve as Martin Gerber's back-up. Auld saw limited action in 2007-08 with the Phoenix Coyotes and Boston Bruins, posting a 12-13-5 mark.

Analysis: Auld is a solid back-up, and his life will be made quite a bit easier playing behind the Senators' solid blue line corps. However, he's unlikely to usurp much playing time from Gerber, who is now the unquestioned starter.