New York Islanders sign Jaroslav Halak to 4-year, $18 million deal

After trading for him just last month, the New York Islanders have made their first major signing of the 2014 offseason. Netminder Jaroslav Halak has reportedly agreed to a 4-year, $18 million deal that will make him the new man in net for the New York Islanders this season.

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According to multiple outlets including NHL Network and Yahoo! Sports, the Isles have inked Halak to a 4-year deal which means the trade that acquired his rights last month has finally paid off.

This is a huge deal for the Islanders as they were looking at possibly making two bad trades within just months of each other. The big trade deadline deal that sent Thomas Vanek to the Habs ended up making the Isles the laughing stock of hockey as they couldn’t have misfired more on the trade. It was looking like more of the same when the traded a draft pick to acquire Halak and his expiring contract from the Capitals, but a deal has been worked out and Halak will not be hitting the open market this summer. Instead, he’ll be hitting the gym as the Isles have a lot invested in the netminder moving forward. Halak needs to find a way to redeem himself after his free fall in 2013-14, and a place in net for the Isles may be what he needs.