TSN.ca Staff
12/15/2009 1:02:14 PM
It appears Canadiens general manager Jaroslav Halak wants to play more and 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.
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.”
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 Maichael Leighton off waivers from the Carolian Hurricanes on Tuesday.
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.”
The 24-year-old Halak, who is in the last year of a contract that pays $800,000 per season, would not confirm on Tuesday that he asked for a trade, saying only that he wants to play.
Is it just me or is this whole story a little fishy sounding? When has Gainey EVER been the type of guy to go blabbing about what he's doing to anyone? I'm not saying it's entirely untrue, but it's just weird. I'd like to hear Bertrand Raymond's recording of the "interview", otherwise I wouldn't completely believe what he's saying just yet.
It doesn't surprise me that Gainey would want to shop Halak around, but I'm very surprised that he'd tell Betrand Raymond – of all the reporters and non-reporters out there – about it like that. It is kinda weird, yeah….
Exactly! I hope he doesn't trade him though… I love Jaro, and I honestly think he won't be able to get enough back for what we'd be losing. Plus when Markov and Gionta come back I think we'll be a lot better off… it won't be perfect but they'll be helpful at least… though with Gionta it may take a while.
It is an uncharacteristic move of Gainey to speak with the media which means it is strategic.
Gainey is minimizing outrageous fan expectations and sending a message to Allan Walsh.
Fans should prepare themselves that Halak will be traded when the opportunity presents itself before the trade deadline.
But there's speaking to the media and then there's speaking to Betrand Raymond. Why hasn't he said anything to anyone else from the media?
Like I said, I don't doubt that Gainey is shopping Halak. I'm just finding this particular source rather odd.
I love Jaro too and I really don't want him to go either… D:
I agree with you completely :D !
The fact that he told no one else makes it seem like it could be made up or twisted at least…
The story has been out for many hours. If the quotes were manufactured, don't you think that the Canadiens would have issued a denial or correction? They have issued none.
As mentioned in my article, the move to select one reporter was purely strategic.
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