The Latest Montreal Soap Opera-Halak Wants Out

Several media sources have reported that Jaroslav Halak has asked to be traded to team that will play him more. This was all but confirmed by Halak on TSN with his "maybe I did, maybe I didn't" comments...aka I'm not denying it so I probably did. I'm not all that surprised that this has happened, there have been rumblings in the past that Halak would like out of Montreal rather than stay and back up Carey Price. But my surprise is with the Canadiens fans reactions.

It seems the majority of Canadiens fans have the "I don't blame him" type attitude. Well, I blame him. Hockey is a team game. You do what is best for the team. If you happen to find yourself on the bench for long stretches you come to practice and work your tail off. You support your teammates and when called upon take advantage of the playing time to earn more of it. Most of all, you don't cause distractions, because a good teammate wouldn't do that. Now I think Halak is a very good goalie and a pretty good guy. But doing this hurts the team. It is a distraction and it hurts his trade value on the market. I've heard so many excuses from "he's got to do what's best for his career and family" to "being the backup in Montreal is a suicide to your career" to "he'll be a starter somewhere". First, the guy pulls in $800K a year to play the game of hockey. I'm sure his family is doing fine. Second, there are many teams where being backup is suicide if it is in Montreal (NJ, Buff, Van, NYR, Cal, ect.). Lastly if he was such a sure thing to be a started somewhere some team would have offered Gainey a good deal and we would be talking about how he was traded instead of asking for a trade.

Halak has started 11 games this year. When compared to other back up goalies, this is pretty good. Earlier in the year he had a string of good starts and appeared to temporarily dethrone Price as the starter. His stats are decent...902 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average. But it's clear Price has outplayed him as of late. After a slow start Price has improved his save percentage to .913 and his goals against average to 2.76. Halak has allowed 4 or more goals 3 times in his last 6 starts, Price has allowed 4 or more just twice in his last 17 starts.

So why not earn your ice time Jaro? Play so well when you get a chance the team can't possibly play the other guy. That's what should be done, but it appears that won't happen. Can you imagine if Price would have pulled the same stunt when Halak owned the crease earlier in the season? I want everyone to know that I like Halak, he seems like a good guy and he is a very solid goalie. But I am a Habs fan and I want whats best for the Canadiens.

It appears Halak will be traded, more than likely for a draft pick and Canadiens fans will whine how Gainey got hosed. Just remember if it does happen it can be placed square on Halak's shoulders.