The NHL offseason is winding down, and most goaltending rooms are crammed up. Meaning the top of an important run for one of many league’s long-standing backups. Jaroslav Halak introduced his retirement on Friday after a 17-year profession with seven groups, together with the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Rangers.
Halak performed 581 video games for seven totally different groups in his profession. He final performed for the 2022-23 New York Rangers, successful 10 of his 25 appearances with a .903 save share. Regardless of these stable backup numbers, he didn’t play previously two seasons. Now, the Czech goalie has hung up the pads.
Halak was given an opportunity to make the Carolina Hurricanes for the 2023-24 season. As Fredrick Andersen handled well being points, the veteran was signed to an expert tryout contract. However Andersen was capable of return, leaving Halak with no roster spot and ending his NHL profession.
Halak burst onto the scene because the Canadiens’ backup within the early Carey Value years. When Value struggled on the finish of the 2009-10 season, Halak took over the beginning job and shone. He led the eighth-seeded Habs previous the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Washington Capitals within the first spherical, a monumental upset. They upset the Pittsburgh Penguins after that, finally falling to the Philadelphia Flyers within the Jap Convention Ultimate.
Halak started bouncing round after his run with the Canadiens. Three-plus years with the Blues ended with 12 video games with the Washington Capitals. His lone All-Star Sport look got here in 2014-15 when he began for the New York Islanders and led them to the playoffs. His 4 years on Lengthy Island landed him a three-season backup gig with the Boston Bruins. One 12 months in Vancouver and one other with the Rangers ended his NHL profession.
Jaroslav Halak will not be going to the Corridor of Fame or have his quantity retired, however some nice play for a number of franchises makes him a well-remembered goalie.