NHL Trade Rumors: St. Louis Blues Would Regret Dealing Jaroslav Halak
Brian Elliott also saw the postseason that year with Ottawa. In four games, Elliott won just once and gave up over four goals per contest.
The Blues are seemingly a lock for the playoffs. Why take the chance with Elliott alone when Halak has proven himself as a force?
Contracts
Brian Elliott is now locked up for the next two years after signing an extension on January 18th. Some might assume that this is a hint Halak is on the move. It isnt.
The Blues also signed Halak to a four-year, $15 million deal after his arrival before even seeing the ice with St. Louis. If he continues this level of play, it would be foolish not to retain him for the deals last two years.
Dont believe me?
General manager Doug Armstrong seemed pretty excited having both Jaro and Elliott locked up until 2014.
Right Now
Brian Elliott started the season on fire, but it looks like it is wearing off. He has given up three goals in three of his last four games. His recent shutout of Colorado came on a night St. Louis dominated all around and allowed just 15 total shots.
If that is the true Brian Elliott as weve seen all year, the Blues would have trouble scoring nearly four goals a game against the leagues best. The extension would then be regrettable, having both Ben Bishop and Jake Allen waiting in Peoria.
Halak, on the other hand, is on fire and was most spectacular Monday night against Dallas. He recorded his third shutout of the season and out-dueled an impressive Kari Lehtonen. Since the hiring of guru Ken Hitchcock, Halaks game has progressed as expected, and he now looks like Hitchs favorite.
This is the Jaroslav Halak that St. Louis has been waiting to see.
Its Simple..
Why trade the hot goaltender while battling two division rivals and Vancouver to stay atop the West?
Why trade either one?
The combination of the two is better than if the team dealt either one. The Halak-ness Monster is good, but a two-headed monster is even more frustrating for opponents.
I dont see a trade happening. The Blues have a surplus of forwards with the likes of Alex Steen and Andy McDonald returning. There are no clear holes in this team to fill unless a top scorer is available, and that continues to be a mystery until the deadline gets closer. Keeping both goalies will bring the highest reward.
The talks should be cut here. Moving Halak is a possibility, but it is one that the Blues would regret.
Keep Halak. Keep Elliott. Enjoy the ride, St. Louis.
Steven Conklin is a contributing writer for the Bleacher Report and a student at the University of Central Missouri. Any comments, questions or suggestions are more than welcome.
