NHL Rumors: Jaroslav Halak Trade Getting Complicated

The Vancouver Canucks have turned their season around thanks to Bruce Boudreau behind their bench and ideally the team would like to make some moves to add to their roster for a playoff push. The Canucks have been receiving a number of trade calls and mostly around backup netminder Jaroslav Halak. One problem, Halak has no-trade protection and doesn't want to go anywhere.

Halak signed in Vancouver on a one-year deal for $1.5 million before the season started and the deal included a full no-movement clause along with performance and appearance bonuses, this according to Cap Friendly. He's due a $1.25 million bonus if he reaches 10 games played and another $250,000 for having a save % higher than .905 to finish the season. Both of these bonuses take effect on next season's salary cap.

The Canucks have apparently been contacted by the Edmonton Oilers regarding a Halak trade but as Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet points out in 32 Thoughts, the goaltender just isn't interested in packing his stuff from Vancouver just yet:

Elsewhere, I think Edmonton’s looking harder at acquiring a goalie. Remember: Jaroslav Halak has control in Vancouver and doesn’t seem inclined to move.

A number of other teams would also have interest in acquiring Halak and those teams include the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers. For now, he's staying put with the Canucks and appears set to cash in on some bonuses as he's already appeared in eight games in 2021-22. 

Photo credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports