ST LOUIS, Mo – The Blues had some concern in net going forward and took the initiative in addressing those issues today. It had been rumored of late that St. Louis was in the process of negotiating an extension with Chris Mason and that the Blues were certain to have a deal done by the impending free agency period. It seems that in this uncertain world the only thing that will forever remain certain is the uncertainty. On Thursday, the St. Louis Blues made a surprise move trading off top offensive prospect Lars Eller and as well as Ian Schultz for the number one goaltender that they have been searching for since the strike season.
In exchange for Schultz and Eller, St. Louis receives Jaroslav Halak from Montreal. Halak has been a solid performing member of the Canadians roster and offers the Blues much by way of anticipation. Without a doubt, Halak is going to have to shoulder a growing stigma in St. Louis that ceases to define a true number one netminder.
The Bratislava, Slovakia native is 25 years old and has played in 101 NHL contests and six International games for the Slovakian National team. Halak emerged last season as a very reliable component to the Canadians cup run as he finished fourth in save percentage, ninth in goals against, and seventh in shutouts.
Halak’s arrival in St. Louis shows that the Blues may not be committed to a slow rebuild and now may be progressing to jump start this team a little more. The master plan of the St. Louis Blues is to meet the expectations of the “St. Lounatics” by keeping a winning franchise on the ice and the move to acquire Halak shows that they will do so by several possible means. The plethora of prospects offers St. Louis great power in today’s salary capped NHL where teams must now consider one more factor in an almost impossible feat.
There can be no doubt that having rival Chicago hoist the cup this season burned many in the Gateway city who may have only pushed the Blues a little harder to find their way to the top of the standings faster than before.
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