Still Paying Dividends: Jaroslav Halak Trade Continues to Reward Canadiens Handsomely Years Later…see more…

Still Paying Dividends: Jaroslav Halak Trade Continues to Reward Canadiens Handsomely Years Later…see more…

 

More than a decade after the Montreal Canadiens made the controversial decision to trade goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues, the ripple effects of that deal are still benefitting the organization in surprising — and profitable — ways.

 

In 2010, fans were divided when then-GM Pierre Gauthier sent Halak, fresh off a sensational playoff run that took Montreal to the Eastern Conference Final, to the Blues in exchange for two prospects: forward Lars Eller and defenseman Ian Schultz. At the time, many questioned the decision, especially with Carey Price still unproven as a full-time starter. But hindsight has proven kind to the Canadiens.

 

While Ian Schultz never panned out at the NHL level, Lars Eller developed into a versatile and valuable two-way forward who served the Canadiens well over six seasons. But it’s not Eller’s on-ice contributions alone that make the Halak trade continue to pay off — it’s what Eller helped the Habs build after his tenure in Montreal.

 

In 2016, the Canadiens traded Eller to the Washington Capitals for two second-round picks. Washington was looking for depth down the middle, and Eller delivered — eventually scoring the Stanley Cup-winning goal for the Capitals in 2018. Meanwhile, Montreal turned those two second-rounders into assets that fueled future moves.

 

One of those picks was used to draft defenseman Alexander Romanov in 2018, who quickly established himself as a fan favorite in Montreal thanks to his physicality and skating. Romanov didn’t stay long, though. In 2022, GM Kent Hughes traded him to the New York Islanders for the 13th overall pick in that year’s draft.

 

That pick became center Kirby Dach, acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks for the newly-acquired 13th overall and a third-round pick. Dach has since shown flashes of becoming a core piece in the Canadiens’ rebuild, displaying size, skill, and vision when healthy — a tantalizing glimpse into the future of Montreal’s forward corps.

 

In essence, Jaroslav Halak — a goaltender who played 101 games for the Canadiens and left 14 years ago — still has a legacy that’s shaping the modern Habs roster. Through Eller, the team acquired Romanov, which led directly to Kirby Dach. That’s a remarkable return from a deal that many once deemed short-sighted.

 

And the tree doesn’t stop there. With Dach firmly in the fold, the Canadiens’ young nucleus — including Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki, and Juraj Slafkovský — is beginning to mature. If Dach lives up to his potential and solidifies himself as a top-six center, the original Halak trade could be regarded as one of the more lopsided long-term wins in modern franchise history.

 

Financially, the impact has also been felt in a positive way. By parting ways with Halak and investing in Carey Price — who would go on to become the face of the franchise and one of the most decorated goaltenders in team history — Montreal had a clear goaltending plan and salary cap direction. Price’s presence gave the Canadiens a decade of stability in net, while Halak, though solid elsewhere, never replicated his 2010 playoff brilliance consistently.

 

From a front office standpoint, the Halak trade also taught Montreal the value of asset management. Turning one goaltender into a forward, and then parlaying that forward into a multi-step development chain, shows the benefits of patience, scouting, and trading smartly — even when moves might be unpopular at first.

 

Jaroslav Halak, now retired after a strong NHL career that included stops in St. Louis, Boston, Vancouver, and the New York Rangers, remains respected league-wide. But it’s the Canadiens who might be smiling the most about his legacy — not because of what he did in their net, but because of what his trade continues to deliver.

 

For fans looking to understand the inner workings of NHL asset trees and long-term planning, the Halak deal serves as a masterclass. It wasn’t just about trading one player for another. It was about setting up a pipeline that — nearly 15 years later — is still fueling a rebuild that’s picking up steam.

 

As Kirby Dach prepares for what the Canadiens hope will be a breakout season, and as Montreal eyes a return to playoff contention, the fingerprints of that 2010 trade remain unmistakable. For a deal once seen as controversial, it’s safe to say: the Halak trade has aged like fine wine.

 

In Summary:

 

Halak traded in 2010 for Lars Eller and Ian Schultz.

 

Eller played six strong seasons in Montreal.

 

Eller was flipped for two second-rounders in 2016.

 

One pick became Romanov, later traded for the 13th overall pick in 2022.

 

That pick helped land Kirby Dach from Chicago.

 

Dach is now a centerpiece of the Canadiens’ future core.

 

 

Conclusion:

What began as a bold, divisive move has turned into one of the shrewdest deals in recent Habs memory. For a team looking toward the future with optimism, it’s a reminder that even one transaction can have a long, lasting — and yes, handsomely rewarding — impact.