Jaroslav Halak Signs With The Islanders

It finally happened.

On May 1st, Garth Snow traded Chicago's 4th round pick (acquired for Regin & Bouchard,) for negotiating rights for 29 yr old Jaroslav Halak.  Today, he made the deal to bring Halak into the Isles Organization.  Halak brings an immediate up-grade to the Isles net & an arguably, a top NHL goaltender to the organization.  Halak had 29 wins last season, 5 shut outs (ranked 4th in NHL,) a .921Sv% (ranked 13th in NHL) & a 2.25 gaa (ranked 8th in NHL.)

 

Per Halak's Agent, Allan Walsh, "Jaroslav Halak has signed a 4 year contract with the NY Islanders. A new era begins and Jaro is thrilled to join the Islanders."  Halak's deal is a 4 year, $18M dollar contract with an AAV of $4.5M/ssn.

Halak appeared on NHL live a few minutes ago.  "I'm thrilled to sign with them," he said when speaking about his new deal and what it will mean to play for the Islanders.

 

Per NHL.com, "In 272 NHL games with the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis and Washington, Halak has a 144-85-29 record with a 2.38 GAA, .918 save percentage and 30 shutouts. He has appeared in 23 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Montreal and St. Louis, with a 10-11 record, 2.42 GAA and .942 save percentage."

 

Garth Snow still needs to acquire a quality back-up for Halak, who has had his share of injury time over his career, including a problamatic groin.  There are several guys who could be a good fit.  My picks can be found here on my top 5 list written last Sunday.

 

With Halak, the Islanders have their starting goalie.  Now they can set their sights on a top line forward, top defensemen and a 20-25 game solid back-up goalie.  Only time will tell what the rest of another hopeful off season will bring.  Lets hope it yields the results all of us want.

Per Arthur Staple, "Newest Isles G Jaro Halak tells me: "I think this is a perfect fit. They have good young guys who will only get better."

 

Isles Notes:

It's Official.  Per Arthur Staple, "Isles will be keeping their 2014 1st-round pick and will send 2015 1st to Sabres to complete Thomas Vanek deal. Announcement to come."

In Internationa play, New York Islanders' Brock Nelson (5G 2 A), Matt Donovan (2G) & Alternate Captain, Colin Mc Donald (1G) all played well for Team USA.

Per Chris Botta, "I asked Gary Bettman about Isles sale. Bettman: "Charles (Wang) is still deciding what he wants to do. No decision has been made."

Per B.D. Gallof, "In talking to some NHL people, Barroway not even considered a likely direction for the Isles via sale. Majority think no deal at all."

"Current unnamed potential buyer is considered to have more traction than Barroway. Even then, most still feel no sale."

 

NHL Notes:

Per Chris Botta, " Sports Business Journal's award for League of the Year goes to...the NHL."

NHL's Bill Daly: "Our athletes are the best in team sports. We wouldn't be standing here tonight without the players."

"The SBJ Awards Executive of the Year is...Gary Bettman. The NHL commissioner receives a standing ovation."

Bettman: "Usually I'm standing with a trophy and getting booed. It's strange to be receiving one and be cheered."

 

IIHF Notes:

QF:  Brock Nelson scores, but Team USA's comeback effort falls short as the Czech Republic holds on to a 4-3 win, eliminating the US.