Halak chooses certainty over free agency

Sometimes, no matter how strong the hand may seem or how great the urge to bet big may be, the best move is to play conservatively — even if it means risking a small loss.

That’s the choice Jaroslav Halak made when he signed a one-year contract extension on Friday with the Bruins — who also stayed conservative on the risk-reward scale.

Halak, enjoying a second straight strong season as Tuukka Rask’s backup when the NHL season paused on March 10 [...]

Sometimes, no matter how strong the hand may seem or how great the urge to bet big may be, the best move is to play conservatively — even if it means risking a small loss.

That’s the choice Jaroslav Halak made when he signed a one-year contract extension on Friday with the Bruins — who also stayed conservative on the risk-reward scale.

Halak, enjoying a second straight strong season as Tuukka Rask’s backup when the NHL season paused on March 10 because of coronavirus concerns, gave up his shot at unrestricted free agency whenever and however the 2019-20 season is concluded to sign for $2.25 million in 2020-21. That’s a $500,000 cut from the $2.75 million he’s been guaranteed over the last two years, but a very reachable incentive (10 games played, per capfriendly.com) can add another $1.25 million next season.

Still, it’s a one-year deal for a goalie who will turn 35 later this month, when a longer term and/or higher salary could have been there if he waited for his current deal to expire.

"Not only me, but anybody would want to see what kind of options you have on the free market," Halak acknowledged in a video conference with reporters Saturday. "You always want to think about taking the best option possible, but not only for yourself."

Halak, a married father of two playing for his sixth NHL team, said the attraction of certainty and stability made staying in Boston his best option.

"Having two kids, having a family, there are positives," Halak said. "The team is great, the city of Boston, the fans — it wasn’t tough to think about it and take the one-year deal.

"I’m really happy we got it done. Now I don’t have to focus on what’s going to happen in the summer, or with the [offseason]."

Neither do the Bruins — at least, not when it comes to their 2020-21 goaltending picture — which qualifies as a major relief at a critical position.

Rask and Halak, fourth in the NHL in goals allowed last season, are at No. 1 this year, with 12 games remaining on a regular-season schedule that will almost certainly be shortened, if the NHL figures out a way to resume it at all. Rask is No. 1 in goals-against average (2.12) and No. 2 in saves percentage (.929); Halak is sixth in GAA (2.39) and 12th with a .919 saves percentage.

Rask, who averaged 66 games per season for three years from 2014-15 through 2016-17 (the B’s missed the playoffs in the first two of those campaigns), played only 46 games last year and has played 41 this season. Clearly, the presence and performance of Halak, previously a No. 1 netminder with the Canadiens, Blues and Islanders, has both pushed and preserved Rask, who had enough energy a year ago to post a 2.02 goals-against average and .934 saves percentage (both second in the NHL) over 24 playoff games, as the B’s reached Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final series.

"We’ve been in a position now with Rask for the last couple of years where he’s been well-rested and has been able to go on runs," general manager Don Sweeney said.

"I think [Halak] over the last couple of years, has really established himself as a go-to guy in any situation. Rask has gone through a couple of injuries at different times, and Jaro’s been able to step forward. [Bruins coach] Bruce [Cassidy] feels very comfortable, no matter who’s starting. ... It just gives us a lot more flexibility."

Had Halak left for potentially greener pastures, the B’s almost certainly would have had to find another experienced backup, because none of their goaltending prospects has played an NHL game. While Dan Vladar, 22, and in his fourth pro season, was playing spectacularly at AHL Providence (1.79 goals-against average; .931 saves percentage) when that league paused its season, Kyle Keyser has been limited by injuries to eight pro games in two years, and Jeremy Swayman just signed out of the University of Maine.

"We’re excited about where we are as an organization with regard to goaltending," Sweeney said. "But we could be faced with a compressed schedule next year; we don’t know. … There’s no question we need to rely on both [NHL] goaltenders."

There’s no question in Halak’s mind that he’s made the right decision.

"I have a great relationship with [Rask]," he said, "and not only him but with everyone in the locker room. It’s been a big part of me wanting to come back.

"Everybody made sure both parties were happy [with the contract], so I’m excited. I can’t wait."