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New York Islanders Roundtable: Should Halak be Traded

Feb 25, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) makes a save against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Barclays Center. Detroit Red Wings won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at Barclays Center. Detroit Red Wings won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Lizza

There is no doubt in my mind, Jaroslav Halak has been under-appreciated in his career. Having said that, the answer to this question is yes in the right circumstances.

I would trade Jaroslav Halak (even in a package) for either a proven scoring winger or future assets (draft pick & prospect) that can be flipped for legit scoring. Trading Halak would also free up some cap space for both this season and next.

There is risk trading Halak. For this season, the Islanders should be fine with a tandem of Thomas Greiss and J.F. Berube. The key phrase is should. Obviously, neither goaltender has Halak’s resume. Having said, that outside of John Tavares, clearly the Islanders won their first round playoff series last Spring because of Greiss. Berube is an unknown but in small samples has played well and with confidence.

The bigger issue is what do the Islanders do long-term if they trade Halak now? Greiss is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. The future for the blue and orange in net is top prospect Ilya Sorokin who dominated the KHL last season. However, will Sorokin be able to come over to North America next season and will he be ready for the NHL in a significant role?

I would roll the dice by moving Halak if Garth Snow can land an impactful scoring forward.

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