New York Islanders: What Could Have Been With Jaro

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Dec 29, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Chris Stewart (7) scores a goal as forward Jason Pominville (29) celebrates in front of New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Islanders shocked most of us when they announced that apparent number one goalie Jaroslav Halk had been waived after a stinker of a performance against the Minnesota Wild.

We’ve seen coaches fired after a terrible result, but a player to be for-all-intents-and-purposes sent packing, is something new. But by God, the New York Islanders did it with Jaroslav Halak.

It’s not like this was Jaro’s only bad game this season. Overall the 2016-17 season been a bad year for Halak. In 21 games played he posted a 6-8-5 record with a 3.23 GAA and a .904 SV%. Just awful stuff from your starter.

There were glimmers of hope this season. Remember that game he stole against the Washington Capitals at the beginning of December? And how about that run he went on with Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey?

Must Read: Islanders Put Jaroslav Halak on Waivers

Bad on-ice performances. Off-ice drama between the team, Halak, and his agent Alan Walsh, ultimately spelled doom for the 32-year-old Slovakian goaltender. But waived?

I know it was suggested that Halak should be waived on Twiter and on some Isles Facebook groups. But these weren’t given much serious consideration by any stretch. Until it happened and I checked my twitter feed at leats four times to make sure it wasn’t an onion link or something.

Halak isn’t likely to get picked up from waivers. There aren’t many teams that need a sub-par goalie with a significant $4.5 million cap hit for the next two seasons to clog up their cap.

So, I wanted to play revisionist history. What could have gone differently between Halak and the Isles?