Thursday, May 1, 2014

Islanders Acquire Halak From Capitals

photo by ESPN

Update: According to the New York Post, Halak is looking for a 3-5 year contract for 4 million per season.  If this is the case, that is very reasonable given that he is coming off a 4 year 15 million dollar contract and provides zero reason for me at least as to why this shouldn't get done and soon at that.

In a surprising move, today the Islanders acquired UFA to be goalie Jaroslav Halak from the Capitals in exchange for the fourth round pick in this years draft the team acquired from the Blackhawks earlier this season in exchange for Peter Regin and Pierre Marc Bouchard.

Last season, in 52 games split between the Capitals and the Blues Halak had a 2.25 GAA and a .921 save percentage.  That is quite different from the Islanders stats which were the worst in the entire league.  Halak has a career save percentage of .918 and a career GAA of 2.40 which are considered slightly above average numbers in my eyes at least.

The agent for Halak, the ever outspoken Allan Walsh told Newsday that they would absolutely consider signing here long term.  "Absolutely.  The Islanders are uniquely situated -- they have some very good young players on their roster and some more good young players coming up.  They took a step back this season, but I think it's just temporary.  Why wouldn't we be interested in talking?"  Walsh told Newsday.

Well, to say this caught me by surprise would be quite the understatement.  While Halak wasn't my first choice, I am not disappointed with this in the slightest.  Now Garth has to close the deal and sign him and cross one major step off his summer checklist and move on to other pressing needs.


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