The St. Louis Blues have ensured that their prize acquisition will be sticking around for some time as the team announced on Tuesday that they had signed goaltender Jaroslav Halak to a four-year deal worth $15 million.
"Jaroslav will be a big help for our organization moving forward," said Blues Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Armstrong in a statement. "He has made a great commitment to the Blues as he enters the prime of his career."
The Blues acquired the Bratislava, Slovakia native in exchange for prospects Lars Eller and Ian Schultz in a deal with the Montreal Canadiens last month. The 25-year old Halak is excited to get his career in the Gateway City underway.
"I've been looking forward to playing in St. Louis ever since the trade was announced," Halak said in a statement. "I believe in my abilities and hope to do some good things for the Blues."
Halak will earn $2.75 million in the first year of the contract, then $3.5 million in the second, $4.25 million in the third, and $4.5 in the final year of the contract.
Halak enjoyed a breakout season this past year with the Canadiens, posting a 26-13-5 record while finishing fourth in the league in save percentage at .940 and ninth in goals-against average at 2.40. He also picked up five shutouts.
Where Halak really impressed was in the post-season as he helped lead the Habs to an improbable run to the Eastern Final before being eliminated by the Philadelphia Flyers.
In 101 career NHL games, Halak sports a 56-34-7 record with a .919 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average.
He was originally drafted by the Canadiens in the ninth round, 271st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.
