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Blues Trade For Jaroslav Halak, Top Goalie In The NHL Playoffs

The St. Louis Blues have acquired former Montreal Candiens goalkeeper Jaroslav Halak in exchange for forwards Lars Eller and Ian Schultz according to an official team press release.

"Jaroslav's play in this year's regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs was remarkable," Blue president John Davidson said in the release. "He has had very impressive numbers in the NHL and we are thrilled that he will be wearing the Bluenote for us."

St. Louis Game Time, SB Nation's St. Louis Blues blog, is very optimistic about the trade.

Halak was the cornerstone of the Habs' push through the playoffs, being a virtual wall throughout their three series. Despite being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals, Halak still finished the playoffs as the top goalie in terms of SV% at .923. During the regular season he finished with a 2.40 GAA and a .924 SV%.

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In return, the Blues ship back Lars Eller and Ian Schultz. While I am upset to see a prospect like Eller go, the Blues were in dire need of a solid starting goaltender. Chris Mason put up solid numbers for us in net, but his propensity for softies and the occasional wonky move, he also became a lightning rod of derision. This gives St. Louis a solid starter in net, one of the best back-ups in the league, and a good and growing defensive corps.

Remember those blown couple goal leads and one goal losses that kept us out of the playoffs? There's hope now that's a thing of the past.