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.