Islanders Acquire Halak's Rights

The New York Islanders traded the 4th round pick they acquired from Chicago for PMB & Regin to Washington for Jaro Halak and up to two months to get him signed before the open of free agency.

Per Arthur Staple, "Jaro Halak's agent @walsha tells me Halak "absolutely" has interest in signing long term with Isles."

In 52 games with Washington & St. Louis last season, Halak posted a 29-13-7 record with a .921Sv% & 2.25 GAA.  Since the start of his NHL career (Montreal) in 2006-07, Halak's career numbers are a .918Sv% with a 2.38 GAA.  Per Rob Vollman, "Halak is 1 of 8 goalies with over 60% quality starts over past 5 years (min 100 starts). 6 of the other 7 have a Vezina."

From the Hockey Ops side, signing Halak will allow the team to cross the need for a starting goaltender off the list for GM, Garth Snow and allow him to work towards the NHL draft / free agency period & focus on signing a top line forward and top pair defensemen.  The choice for a back up also remains for management with no goalies signed as of today.  Rumors of Nabokov resigning a year deal are out there, but the team may look to bring in an outside free agent keeper altogether.

If Halak signs a deal with the Islanders, their search for a #1 goaltender will be over and at 29yrs old, he can stabilize the net as the mostly young blue line can gain experience and confidently develop in front of him.  And if he remains healthy, Halak should certainly help to improve an NHL worst .894 team Sv%.

Isles Notes:

 

Eric Hornick has Halak as 7-1-1 w 1.53 GAA. 144-85-29 in NHL career (2.38, .918) against the Islanders.

Per Islanders.nhl.com, " On the international stage, Halak represented Slovakia at two Winter Olympic Games, three World Championships and two Junior World Championships."

 

Per Arthur Staple, "Ville Pokka playing for Finland in the Worlds. Can't sign with Isles until after tournament ends on 5/25, but must sign before 6/1."