Report: Islanders willing to trade Halak
New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow may have a resolution to the team's three-headed goalie situation.
After NHL agent Allan Walsh called out the Islanders for their handling of netminders Jaroslav Halak and Jean-Francois Berube - both represented by Walsh - the team has made it known they're willing to deal Halak, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Hard to figure out NY Islanders using 3 goalie system for 2nd year. Biggest issue is goalies don't get enough practice time to stay sharp.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) October 29, 2016
Starting goalie for NY Islanders last game had only 1 quality practice in last 5 days before Penguins game. Going on 2 years of this now.
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) October 29, 2016
The Islanders also have Thomas Greiss, meaning the team is carrying three goaltenders. There is simply not enough crease time to go around, with Greiss appearing in three games, Halak playing five, and Berube yet to take the ice.
The Islanders do not want to send Berube to the team's AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, as he would need to clear waivers and they're not confident that would happen, considering the number of goalie injuries league-wide.
One example is the Los Angeles Kings, who lost starter Jonathan Quick for three months due to a groin injury. Interestingly enough, the Islanders claimed Berube off waivers from the Kings last season.
Berube posted a 3-2-0 record and .914 save percentage with the Islanders in 2015-16.