In a move seemingly out of left field, RDS is reporting that the rights to Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halak has been traded to the St. Louis Blues for 21-year-old center Lars Eller and forward prospect Ian Schultz.
Halak,25, is a restricted free agent coming off a legendary performance in the 2009-10 post season, in which he carried his eighth-seeded squad to the Eastern Conference Finals. Halak was expected to be re-signed by the Canadiens to be the future starter. However, this move will assure that Montreal will keep 22-year-old RFA Carey Price.
The Blues have yet to sign Halak to a contract.
Eller, a highly-touted prospect who just received his first taste of the NHL this past season, was the 13th overall selection in the 2007 NHL draft. He scored two goals in seven games with the Blues after spending 70 games in the AHL with Peoria.
Schultz, 20, was a third-round pick in the 2008 draft.
The Flyers were expected to be one of the many parties interested in Price. But now with Halak in St. Louis, former Blues goaltender, 34-year-old unrestricted free agent Chris Mason, should become available.
Phila.Bright 