Jaroslav Halak to test free agency, is Jonathan Quick his replacement?
New York Rangers backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak will most likely not return next season. Allan Walsh, who represents the 38 year-old goalie, posted on Twitter that his client will test the free agent marker on July 1.
In addition to that news, rumors have surfaced that pending UFA goalie Jonathan Quick may land with the Rangers this summer. According to TFP’s David Pagnotta, New York is a potential destination for the two-time Stanley Cup winner.
Jaroslav Halak to test free agency
Halak registered a 10-9-5 record with a 2.72 GAA along with a .903 save percentage in 2022-23. For his career, he’s just 5 wins away from the 300 victory milestone sitting at 295-189-68 with a 2.50 GAA and a .915 save percentage.
Last summer, Halak signed a one year-deal for $1.5M as a free agent on July 13, 2022. The Rangers were likely looking to execute a similar deal or one for less AAV leading to his decision to become a free agent.
Jonathan Quick a notable UFA
Quick, 37, has had a remarkable career and won the Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014. Rangers fans will painfully remember his second title because it came at the expense of their beloved Blueshirts and Henrik Lundqvist. Quick was also a member of the Vegas Golden Knights championship squad this year, but did not play in the playoffs.
His career numbers are impressive at 375-277-84 with a GAA of 2.47 and .911 save percentage. However, Quick struggled last season posting 3.41 GAA and .882 save percentage split between the Kings and Golden Knights.
One potential consideration that could play in the Rangers favor is that Quick grew up idolizing 1994 Stanley Cup winner Mike Richter. A potential one-year deal for less than the $1.5 million Halak earned in 2022-23 may make his choosing New York a real possibility.
Of course, with the Rangers having less than $12 million this summer to sign K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere, they could turn to Hartford Wolf Pack veteran backstop Louis Domingue.
The 31 year-old was a big reason why Hartford ended a long playoff drought dating back to the 2014-15 campaign. He did so by posting a record of 22-12-8 record with 4 shutouts, a 2.51 GAA, and a .911 save percentage.
Domingue is also one of those rare goalie who catches with his right hand. That would be a nice change of pace when facing opponents in a home-and-home series.
For his NHL career, Domingue’s numbers stand at 59-60-10 with a 3.04 GAA, and a .905 SV%. Although his salary cap hit of $775,000 would be a perfect fit, the Rangers may want to go with a more proven big league backup.
It’s just nice to know that if they strike out on the free agent market, they will have a fallback option in Domingue.
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