Trade Shocker: League Approves Halak to Flyers “For the Good of the Game”

In an unprecedented move the NHL today announced that a blockbuster end of season trade has been permitted under the Commisioner’s Executive powers “for the good of the game.”

League sources confirmed that early today a trade sending Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for injured forward Jeff Carter and Philadelphia’s 1st and 3rd round draft choice in the upcoming 2010 NHL entry draft had been approved.

Jaroslav Halak will immediately make the Flyers contenders for the 2010 Stanley Cup

Jeff Carter gives Montreal the big-body presence they have sought up front.

The official NHL trade deadline passed nearly a month ago, but the Flyers approached the commissioner and asked him to permit this trade with his little-used “for the good of the game” powers. A Flyers insider asking not to be named told inGoal, “basically we were down to our sixth goaltender of the season. At some point you have to look at the situation and say – this isn’t fair to our paying fans. We appealed to the commisioner, noting that our final games of the season risked becoming a mockery without a proven NHL netminder.”

Apparently this trade came very close to happening at the deadline, so it was not difficult to put together it at this late date.

Montreal and Philadelphia are in the thick of the race for the final playoff spots in the East, and this move is not sitting well with the Thrashers, Bruins and Rangers who are battling for a spot in the playoffs as well. Ranger coach John Tortorella could only be reached by text message, but his response is not suitable for printing in this publication.

Deputy Commisioner Bill Daly, when asked about the other teams that could be affected replied tersely, “You can see it in the wording – it’s for the good of the game. I think we can trust the Commissioner to act in the best interests of all concerned.” He then added, “and no, we did not seek nor did we require the approval of any other teams, or the Player’s Association.”

The move finally resolves the Price / Halak question in Montreal, that has been hanging over the two young stars all season. Carey Price is expected to start the remainder of Montreal’s games and lead the team into the playoffs. Cedrick Desjardins, 26-8-3 with 6 shutouts has been recalled from the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs to back up Price.