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NHL Trade Rumors: Islanders willing to trade Jaroslav Halak

By Dave Stevenson

Dec 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the first period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders have reportedly let the rest of the NHL know goaltender Jaroslav Halak is available. 

Handling three goaltenders has been difficult for the New York Islanders this season. They made a choice to carry Jaroslav Halak, Thomas Greiss, and Jean-Francois Berube. Unsurprisingly, the agent for Halak and Berube has come out criticizing the Islanders for the decision. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Islanders intend to solve the problem by trading Halak.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow could get a decent return for Halak. The question is, why didn’t this happen during the offseason? During the season, most teams have already set their budgets, making a trade for Halak more difficult.

Obviously, the Los Angeles Kings could use a goaltender. However, due to Halak’s salary, they aren’t an ideal team for him. Also, once Jonathan Quick returns from injury, he’ll be reduced to a backup role. Part of the issue his agent has with the Islanders is with his playing time, so he’s not a fit in Los Angeles.

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The three-headed goalie situation has so far hurt Halak. He has a .901 save percentage in five games in 2016-17, his lowest save percentage since 2013. Halak’s save percentage is down from his 2015-16 mark of .919. Greiss has gotten three starts in net while Berube has not gotten any ice time. The Islanders don’t want to send Berube to the AHL because they know he’ll most likely be claimed on waivers.

A few teams who could use Halak include the Dallas Stars and Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes would need to clear some money, but it shouldn’t be too hard for them. They need an upgrade in net over Mike Smith and Halak is certainly better than him. Meanwhile, the Dallas Stars have other issues, but goaltending is arguably their biggest with Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi both struggling.

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