Rumors! Flyers Interested in Halak
Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 2:47 pm
http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-philade ... slav-halak
http://www.sbnation.com/2013/6/28/44752 ... slav-halak
NEW YORK –- The Flyers' goalie vacancy has taken yet another twist with a name not previously in the mix.
According to an NHL source here at this weekend’s NHL draft, the Flyers have made some inquires with St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong about the availability of Jaroslav Halak, who lost the starter’s job to Brian Elliott this past season.
The 28-year-old Slovakian has one year left on his current contract with a $3.75 million salary cap hit.
St. Louis isn’t sure about what Halak’s price tag will be on re-signing. Even more difficult for the Blues is that Elliott also has a year left and is making far less money -- $1.8 million -- but will be seeking starter’s coinage next summer.
“The Flyers have been told it’s going to take a very good player, but it won’t take one of their top guys, which Philadelphia was worried about,” the source said. “He could be their No. 1.”
Halak appeared in 16 games last season with Ken Hitchcock’s Blues, with a 2.14 goals against average and .899 save percentage. His seven-year NHL career numbers are solid: 2.41 GAA and .917 save percentage.
He was the starter in Montreal during the 2010 playoffs, which saw the Canadiens ousted by the Flyers in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Halak was twice bothered by groin injuries last season and had a few run-ins with Hitchcock. He was very upset at losing his starter’s job and turned up late for several team meetings in protest of that fact.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren has been talking to many general managers in recent weeks, both in person at the GM Meetings earlier this month and on the phone.
There is a long list of goalie possibilities, including Tim Thomas. Sources close to Thomas say he was intrigued by the Flyers. Another possibility is Ray Emery, who the Flyers remain fond of after his last stint here that unfortunately ended with AVN disease in his right hip.
Others are Jose Theodore and Roberto Luongo, if he is bought out and becomes a free agent.
The Philadelphia Flyers have interest in St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, according to Tim Panaccio of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia on Friday afternoon.
Citing an NHL source, Panaccio reports Philadelphia has made inquires into the availability of Halak. The 28-year-old goaltender is entering the final-year of a four-year, $15 million contract that carries an annual average value of $3.75 million against the salary cap. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
According to the source, St. Louis will require a "very good player" in return for Halak, but won't require one of their top guys. In the majority of rumors involving the Flyers, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier are often mentioned as players of interest from opposing clubs. This source seemingly indicates that the Blues are not asking for either player.
While Panaccio's report doesn't specifically mention any player by name, 27-year-old forward Matt Read has surfaced in rumors and was reportedly connected to a potential deal with the Los Angeles Kings for restricted free agent goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Read certainly could be described as a very good player and is even more valuable given his disproportionate annual average value of $900,000. Set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, Read stands to earn a sizable raise.
Considering Halak will also hit the unrestricted market next summer, the two teams might find common ground in a deal. However, Read's involvement in these discussions is merely a speculative perspective and is not mentioned in Panaccio's report.
In terms of Halak, he is one of three goaltenders on the Blues roster. Brian Elliott is also entering the final-year of his contract, which carries an annual average value of $1.8 million. The club also has 22-year-old goaltender Jake Allen, who will be a restricted free agent this summer.
Many have speculated that the Blues will attempt to use their depth in goal to improve the forward group. Whether that is true remains to be seen.