Although Jaroslav Halak has been performing above expectations ever since the New York Islanders placed him on waivers and sent him down to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the New York Islanders will still have a very hard time finding a place to trade Halak.
When the New York Islanders placed Jaroslav Halak on waivers, he went unclaimed for a reason. The 31-year-old goaltender is currently being paid $4.5 million against the salary cap, and based on his performance at the NHL level, he’s not worth the cap hit.
In the nine games Halak has played in Bridgeport, he holds a 6-1-2 record, along with a 2.03 GAA and a .927 SV%. Which just means that Halak is an above average AHL goalie. He’s ranked ninth in SV% amongst all AHL goalies. But that’s just about all Halak brings to the table.
Jaroslav Halak has been proven to be an inconsistent goalie in the NHL, New York Islanders fans know this very well. Some nights, Halak could have a stellar performance and record a 38 save shutout, the next game he gets lit up for five goals. Halak is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get, and the stats prove so.
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There Are Other, Better Options
This season, Halak boasts a 6-8-5 record in his time with the New York Islanders, and consistently had problems making saves when the team needs him to the most.
Halak also boasts a lowly .904 SV% and a putrid 3.23 GAA, stats that will deter many possible suitors for a goaltender.
Although the New York Islanders found their goaltender of the future in Thomas Greiss, after inking him to a three-year contract extension this week, Jaroslav Halak’s future with the team may be a bit longer lived.
Who’s going to take Halak with those stats when there are better options available elsewhere? It seems from rumors around the NHL that both Marc-Andre Fleury and Ben Bishop, two established starting goaltenders, are on the trade block.
Even a team like the St. Louis Blues, who desperately need a goaltender, why would they go for Halak now? The Blues have just over $1.2 million in cap space. Unless they feel like a trade of Kevin Shattenkirk for Halak is fair – and I doubt they do – then I don’t see them going for Halak.
And it’s not like the Blues don’t already have a $4 million plus goaltender on the book. Jake Allen, is set to get a $2 million raise for the next four years starting next season.
After all, if nobody wanted to take Jaroslav Halak off of waivers for free, what makes you think any NHL GM would give up anything to take on the contract of Jaroslav Halak?
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