Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Per TSN.ca: Montreal Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak wants to play more and it appears that general manager Bob Gainey is willing to accomodate him if the right offer comes along. According to the sports media website ruefrontenac.com, Gainey offered the services of Halak to the Philadelphia Flyers, who lost starting goaltender Ray Emery for at least a month after he underwent successful surgery to correct an abdominal tear last week. When asked whether he had formally requested a trade, Halak was non-committal. "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. It's between me and my agent so I'm not going to say yes or no. I have no comment on this," said Halak on Tuesday. "I'm a young goalie, and Carey (Price) is a young goalie, so I'm pretty sure we both want to play. At the same time, I'm a team guy, and even if I don't play I just want to win, and get the two points. I want everybody to do good," added Halak. Gainey told ruefrontenac.com writer Bertrand Raymond that he called the Flyers and told them he might have a goaltender available but the Flyers did not propose a deal. The report indicates Gainey was looking for a top-six forward in return, but the Canadiens GM downplayed his demands. "Let's be realistic," Gainey told the website. "I received a second round pick from the Washington Capitals for Cristobal Huet and the Flyers gave up a second round pick from Buffalo for Martin Biron." "It's positive that some other teams are interested in me," explained Halak. "Bob called them, so I guess...what can I say? I'm happy to be here but at the same time I want to play." Brian Boucher has taken on the role of starter in Philadelphia, with Johan Backlund as the reserve after he was called up from the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL. The Flyers claimed Michael Leighton off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. "The first we heard of it was this morning," said Canadiens forward Michael Cammalleri. "I think it's too early to tell whether it's been a distraction or not, but it is what it is. "Jaroslav has been real good for us all year, and if and when he plays again for us, he'll be good again," added Cammalleri. Gainey also made it clear that the Flyers were not the only team he contacted in an effort to trade Halak. "I took this step because it is Jaroslav's wish to have his chance to play," Gainey told ruefrontenac.com. "He feels ready to play a more important part." "My contract is up after this year, but I'm still a restricted free agent," said Halak. "So whether they move me or not is up to them, it's not in my control. The only thing that I can control is the way I play, and that's the only thing." The 24-year-old Halak is in the final season of a deal that pays him $800,000 per season. Ummmm Halak for a 2nd rounder? HELL YEAH! Halak looks better than Price... hell, he's outplayed Halak at every single turn. I love Ozzy and Howard but Halak is a budding star. I hate the idea of losing Howard but Halak would be awesome insurance in case Howie doesn't pan out. I'm glad I'm not the GM. This would be a really tough call for me. If Howard was still struggling this deal would already be done, in my opinion at least. Now Howie's looked great and it'd be really tough to justify selling him down the river for a kid who's only a year younger. What if Ozzy plans on retiring? I wish the Wings could convince the Habs to save Halak for this summer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Nowhere did Gainey explicitly say he'd trade Halak for a second-round pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Nowhere did Gainey explicitly say he'd trade Halak for a second-round pick. He also did not say he would not trade him for a 2nd round pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 He also did not say he would not trade him for a 2nd round pick. He also didn't say he wouldn't trade him for a pizza, either. If Halak is peoples' idea of a budding star, I dunno anymore. I don't see him as an upgrade on Howard plus the fact he's a RFA in seven months who will be likely looking for Dan Ellis-type money. His agent is a bit of a pushy dick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akustyk 84 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 there are teams more desperate to buy decent goaltending than Wings. end of discussion to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z and D for the C 712 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Happy with Howie, and happy to say it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Booster313 138 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 If Howie weren't playing well this might be an option, I think the Wings are more likely to look for a slightly over-the-hill veteran if our goaltending breaks down. We have three future goalies already... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwingfan19 293 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 not happening. Howard is playing well and mccollum and larsson are coming up fast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Speaking of, any chance we might see Larsson called up once or twice this season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dominator2005 558 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...p;#entry1838291 Gainey is looking for top 6 forward... there is no way they are going to trade him for 2nd rounder. BTW Howard is looking sharp - this is the goalie that we are waiting 3-4 years for him to be "ready" and we should already look in another direction??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akustyk 84 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Speaking of, any chance we might see Larsson called up once or twice this season? don't even start to jinx it. we've had enough callups from minors due to injuries this seasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 Howard: 18 GP, .915 SV%, age 25 Halak: 12 GP, .902 SV%, age 24 Eh, even if you say that Montreal is defensively deficient enough to account for -.13 SV% (I don't, this year), given Howard's dedication, the small difference in age, and that we'd be giving up extra assets to make up what would appear to be a lateral move... No, thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropkickshanahans 463 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 don't even start to jinx it. we've had enough callups from minors due to injuries this seasons. I'm being serious. In the past Howard was called up on occasion, I just don't recall if it was due to injury or if it was to give him a couple games to get a taste of the big leagues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shady Ultima 40 Report post Posted December 15, 2009 I have a feeling he'll end up in Colorado. They're still desperate to pick up any Montreal goalie they can... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 don't even start to jinx it. we've had enough callups from minors due to injuries this seasons. Exactly. Besides, I'm more than happy with how Howard is doing so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cupforwings 138 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 With the Howard showing a lot of promise lately, there is no need for the wings to consider this trade... They wait for prospects to develop, and Howard is doing just that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Do not want. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evans_18 4 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 I personally like Halak a lot. I think he would be a good fit here but then we also have Howard how is doing good for us for now. They are both great young goalies, even is Howard still makes me a little nervous some times like when he is pulling Hasek moves laying down, I am just going to have to agree with everyone on the fact that this wont happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmonster 11 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 I don't think Halak will really be in the picture for us. Right now I see Osgood/Howard splitting time till Ozzie retires. At that point we evaluate if Larrson or McCollum are ready to back Howard up/split time. If neither are ready than another vet will come in to back up Howard. But, reallistically Ozzie will probably be here untill McCollum or Larrson are ready to split time with Howard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mmamolo 287 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 I was a big fan of Halak when he first starting getting soem time in Montreal but the move just wouldnt make sense for us. We've all seen how hesitant Holland has been with callin gplayers up and conserving his cap space. If the Wings are to make a move it'll be for a forward...well also depending on injuries maybe a defenseman. At the end of the day Howard is playing really well for what he was expected to do. I don't see us giving up assets to get Halak and then having three goaltenders. I know some of you would think we might move Howard back to Montreal but there is no way we groom a goaltender for 3-4 years only to get hime 20 odd games and ship him out of town. Just doesn't make sense. Speaking of, any chance we might see Larsson called up once or twice this season? I think if the Wings hadn't encountered all of these injuries and they were in better standing then maybe we'd see Larsson get a shot but right now every game counts and we need all the points we can get. It's just not the right time to throw a young goaltender into the mix when he might stumble. Not only would that hurt us in the standings but that would hurt Larsson's development. Once everyone returns from injury if we're able to make up ground quickly we may see Larsson get a game but I still doubt it. Right now there is no need to rush his progress. On an unrelated note does anyone else find it strange hwo many players the Wings have with double letters in their last names in spots you wouldn't normalyl expect them to be? Filppula, Ericsson, Larsson. I kinda like it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Not sure if they could do it, but I wouldn't be suprised to see Columbus make a move for him. Mason has been trash this season, and Garon isn't the answer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Beginning of the season I'd say trade Howard with a 4th rounder. With Howards play right now I think it's much more safe to keep Howard then Halak. Right now Howard > Halak Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
