Halak gets 2-year deal from Canadiens

to a two-year $1.55 million contract on Tuesday. The backup to Carey Price will earn $750,000 next season and $800,000 in 2009-10. "Jaroslav has proven to be a quality NHL goaltender," Canadiens GM Bob Gainey said in a statement. "He played very well for us when called upon over the past two seasons. He is young competitor with great skills and an excellent work ethic." The 23-year-old Halak played six games with the Canadiens last season, going 2-1-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. He played in 28 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League, posting a 15-10-2 record with a 2.10 GAA and the league's second-best save percentage at .929. He was selected in the ninth round by the Canadiens, 271st overall in the 2003 entry draft. He is 12-7-1 in 22 NHL career games with a 2.71 GAA... [read full story]