Halak: B's Bond 'A Big Part of Me Wanting to Come Back'

BostonBruins.com - For the last two seasons, Jaroslav Halak has been, perhaps, the best backup goaltender in the National Hockey League. In fact, one could argue that the 34-year-old Slovakia native has been one of the best netminders in the league, period.
As such, Halak likely could have found a starting job elsewhere for the 2020-21 campaign.
But in the short time Halak has called Boston home, he has come to value the city and, most importantly, the unique bond that this Bruins team has formed. And it was the driving force behind him agreeing to a one-year contract extension - worth a cap hit of $2.25 million - with the club on Friday afternoon.
"We are kind of like a family and it's been a big part of me wanting to come back," Halak said during a virtual conference call with the media on Saturday. "Since I came [here] and joined the team it's been a special group. I think I blended with the guys and we had some success, but I think everybody knows that we have unfinished business.
"I hope the season can resume and we can start off where we finished. I've had a lot of fun the last two seasons. Hopefully the success will continue."

A large chunk of that success can be attributed to Halak's emergence as a crucial piece of the Bruins' core. With the B's poised to be a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup heading into the 2018-19 campaign, general manager Don Sweeney felt it was imperative to find a goaltender that the team could depend on to ease the burden on ace backstop Tuukka Rask.
"I think Jaro, the last couple years, has really established himself as a guy that can go in any situation," said Sweeney, who credited Halak and his agent, Allan Walsh, for coming together to get a deal completed. "Rask has had a couple injuries at different times and Jaro has been able to step forward…we feel very comfortable, [Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy] feels very comfortable, no matter who is starting every night - road, home, opponent. I think it gives us a lot more flexibility."

Since the beginning of last season, among goalies with at least 50 games played, Halak ranks fifth in goals against average (2.36), sixth in save percentage (.921), and sixth in shutouts (8). Rask, meanwhile, comes in at fourth (2.31), eighth (.920), and fourth (9), respectively, with Boston ranking second in the league in goals allowed per game (2.49), just a percentage point behind the Dallas Stars (2.48).
"We're fortunate," said Sweeney. "Throughout the course of the year [with Halak] playing very well, the tandem working well, the way Bruce wants to utilize the goaltenders and what we've set out to do over the last few years, I think has been really beneficial for both goaltenders and our organization and team."
With two elite goaltenders performing at the top of their game, it is easy to imagine a bit of contention developing over playing time. But Halak and Rask have had no such riffs, instead forming a strong friendship, while pulling the best out of each other day in and day out.
"[Tuukka's] proven that he's one of the top goalies in the league," said Halak, who is 18-6-6 with a 2.39 GAA and .919 save percentage this season. "He competes in every game, in every practice. He wants to win. That's the ultimate goal. Obviously, we are on the same team…he wants to play - if I said I didn't want to play, I would probably be lying. I also want to play, but at the same time we are a team and we want to win as a team.
"Whether it's with me or him in net, it doesn't really matter. That's what good teams do. They use pretty much everybody who is in the lineup or on the roster. They have to bring it every night."
Sweeney was never concerned about the duo's dynamic, noting that during his tenure as GM he has made it a point to communicate with Rask about how a slightly diminished workload could be beneficial. The plan worked to perfection last spring as Rask - who played in just 46 regular-season games - appeared as fresh and focused as ever during Boston's run to the Stanley Cup Final, with the 33-year-old posting a .934 save percentage and 2.02 goals against average in 24 games.
"[Rask] welcomed that…we decided to adopt this philosophy and Tuukka was on board with it," said Sweeney. "He has felt good as a result of it, he's played well as a result of it. It's a testament to him and Jaro for responding…and also to Bruce and [goalie coach] Bob Essensa for finding that balance and keeping both goaltenders fresh. I think we benefited in the playoffs last year."

The Bruins will, no doubt, benefit moving forward, too. There is much uncertainty about how the 2020-21 season will play out, given the possibilities that it could be shifted back and compressed should the current campaign resume this summer. Having two veteran goalies on the roster to maneuver through what will certainly be a unique schedule will be a luxury.
"It's potentially a greater variable now," said Sweeney, who also pointed to Halak's dedication and leadership off the ice and in the dressing room. "When we entered discussions with Jaro it was all about Jaro and the way he has played and contributed to our hockey club. It's more reflective of Jaro and the job that he does. He works very well with our coaching staff and with Tuukka. He fits into our team, the identity of our group. It's a testament to him and the job that he's done first and foremost.
"Albeit, I do believe that if we face a bit of a compression for next year's schedule - we intend to play a full 82-game slate - I think it will be a nice balance to have two goaltenders. Either one of them can take the ball at any time. There won't be any question marks in goal going forward, hopefully. Their play will have to back that up."
Having Halak around for at least another season also allows the Bruins time to develop their trio of young goaltenders. Twenty-one-year-old Jeremy Swayman, who was signed to a three-year entry-level contract last month, was a Hobey Baker finalist after a stellar junior year with the University of Maine and will push for playing time in Providence next season.
Daniel Vladar, 22, was in the midst of his best professional season to date, posting a 1.79 goals against average and .936 save percentage in 25 games with the P-Bruins after overcoming an early-season injury. Kyle Kyser - expected back after injuries limited the 21-year-old to just seven games between Providence and Atlanta (ECHL) this season - and veteran Max Lagace will also be in the mix.
"It works in conjunction with our young goaltenders that we're trying to develop," said Sweeney."We never want to box anybody out. We've always been pretty consistent that when a younger player is ready to take a spot the opportunity is there and it's up to him.
"I think looking at it objectively…with everyone on pause, [the AHL] may not get back up and running again, it's still up in the air, so we felt that without [that final stretch of games], as well as the playoffs - those games are meaningful…goaltenders that develop have to go through those periods and gain that experience along the way. This would be no different."
In the meantime, the Bruins are thrilled to boast what so many believe is the best goaltending tandem in the NHL- one that Halak cherishes being a part of.
"You always want to think about or take the best option possible, not only for yourself but getting older and having kids you've got to also look at your family as well. And being happy in Boston, it's one of the biggest reasons why we wanted to stay here," said Halak.
"Not only me, but anybody would want to see what kind of options you would have on the free market, but I think the decision was made based on having the great team that we have and the teammates that we have.
"We all get along and it's been a special group since I joined. I couldn't be more happy."