JL

Halak re-signs for two years
Jul 8, 2008, 3:00 PM EDT PRESS RELEASE

MONTREAL - Canadiens GM Bob Gainey announced Tuesday the signing of goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a two-year contract (2008-09 and 2009-10). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Jaroslav has proven to be a quality NHL goaltender. He played very well for us when called upon over the past two seasons. He is young competitor with great skills and an excellent work ethic ’’ said Bob Gainey.

Halak, 23, will begin his third season in the NHL this fall. In 2007-08, he played six games with the Canadiens, posting a 2-1-1 record, a 2.11 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. He played in 28 games with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, posted a 15-10-2 record, a 2.10 goals-against average and maintained the AHL’s second-best save percentage (.929).

The previous year, he won all of his seven games played at the Bell Centre (7-0-0).

A native of Bratislava, Slovakia, Halak was selected in the ninth round by the Canadiens, 271st overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has played in a total of 22 career games in the NHL, posting a 12-7-1 record, a 2.71 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage.

Canadiens.com


Halak by numbers

__________________

"Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.

capebretoncanadien

excellent...I expect he'll get a good solid chance to prove his worth this year...yet another astute decision by Gainey!

__________________
It's the same everyday and the wave won't break
Tell you to pray, while the devils on their shoulder

JL

If Price pans out, I expect that Halak will be involve in a trade at the deadline (with other players or picks) that will see us land a top 4 blueliner and possibly an experienced backup. That's my prediction anyway. He's too good to play second string and needs to play to continue his development. I often compare him to Tomas Vokoun...

__________________

"Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.

capebretoncanadien

Wouldn't you think he needs more of a chance to play and excel to command a top four blueliner? I mean he's played well in his limited time but my hunch is that it's not enough.....yet..........

__________________
It's the same everyday and the wave won't break
Tell you to pray, while the devils on their shoulder

JL

Oh I fully agree, and that's why I'm saying that he'd be combined with other players, prospects and/or draft picks. The thing is that I anticipate a well rested Carey Price to perform well and to carry most of the work load, which leaves little place for Jaroslav.

__________________

"Too bad for Mats, he could have been playing here" ~ Robert Lang.

Æn7ropy

Halak is young and I think he knows that he's in the best place to develop over the next 2 years. Look at how many great goalies that came out of Montreal. He has more to gain in being a 2nd stringer in Montreal then starting in Florida or Toronto.