The New York Islanders signed a goaltender to a long-term deal, signifying their expectation that they will be better next seaso

The New York Islanders signed a goaltender to a long-term deal, signifying their expectation that they will be better next season. Authentic Patrick Kane Jersey . Numbers Game looks at the Islanders securing the services of Jaroslav Halak. The Islanders Get: G Jaroslav Halak. Halak, 29, was going to be one of the best free agent goaltenders available this summer when the Islanders made a pre-emptive move to acquire him from Washington. While there are ups-and-down in Halaks game from year to year, over the past five years, he has the third-best save percentage among goaltenders with at least 200 games played. Over the same time period, Halak has a .927 save percentage during 5-on-5 play, which puts him in pretty good company. As noted, there have been ups and downs in Halaks performance, with the worst of the downs his 2012-2013 season -- an injury-plagued season in which he finished with an .899 save percentage in 16 games. In every other season, since 2008-2009, Halaks save percentage has ranged from .910 to .926, so there is a good chance that he can provide above-average goaltending for the Islanders and that would represent a significant upgrade. Using Hockey References Goals Saved Above Average, for example, Halak has saved approximately 42 goals above average over the past five years and will effectively be replacing Evgeni Nabokov, who is 11.51 goals above average over those same five years (one of which was spent in Russia), so just on average over those seasons, Halak would provide a five-to-six goal difference and factoring in that Nabokov is 38 and Halak is 29, its clear that Halak is likely to have superior numbers over the next four seasons. Halak signed for four years and $18-million, which is entirely reasonable for a starting goaltender. His cap hit of $4.5-million ranks 15th among goaltenders already signed for next season. The decision to sign Halak and, on the same day, announce that they would be keeping this years first-round pick (meaning that the Islanders 2015 first-round pick goes to Buffalo) is a clear indication that the Islanders expect to rebound from this down season and, believe it or not, thats a perfectly reasonable decision. They finished 19th in Fenwick Close (unblocked 5-on-5 shot attempts, within one goal in first two periods, tied in third), which is a good measure for puck possession and did so with several notable injuries and players departing via trade, so its fair to think that the Islanders can be a middle of the pack club, with goaltending offering the chance to be a bit above average or, if it goes wrong again, below average. Those expectations will put Halak in the spotlight, but his track record is strong enough to justify the Islanders investment. The Capitals Get: A fourth-round pick. While Halak played well for Washington, after coming over in trade from St. Louis, posting a .930 save percentage in a dozen games, its also not a surprise that Washington might not be inclined to keep him long-term. After all, the Capitals already have Braden Holtby, who has a .919 save percentage in 105 career games, as well as prospect Philip Grubauer (.924 SV% in 19 GP with Capitals) waiting in the wings, so there wasnt a lot of upside to spending on Halak. Of course, this decision cant entirely ignore the fact that the Capitals dont have a general manager since firing George McPhee. Brian MacLellan made out quite well in the interim, however, securing a fourth-round pick in exchange for negotiatiing rights to an asset that the Capitals apparently didnt intend to keep. There isnt a lot of value to a fourth-round pick, maybe a 15% chance that it turns into an NHL player, but for a player that could provide zero value to Washington next season, thats well-played. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Authentic Dominik Kahun Jersey . JOHNS, N. Authentic Martin Havlat Jersey . The CFL will help tackle womens cancers by playing four special "CFL PINK" games this weekend. http://www.cheapblackhawksjerseysauthentic.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla.National pride and local bragging rights will both be on the line Sunday when Canada takes on the RFU Championship Select Team, an all-star squad from English rugbys second tier.Five of the players in Canadas matchday 22 play in the Greene King IPA Championship when they are not wearing the Maple Leaf.Fullback James Pritchard is a longtime member of the Bedford Blues. Prop Andrew Tiedemann and lock Brett Buekeboom play for Plymouth Albion and locks Tyler Hotson and Jon Phelan wear the colours of the Doncaster Knights.We know they are a quality side and theyre looking to put up a big performance to show they belong in the best in the league, so we need to have a strong showing on Sunday, said Pritchard, an 11-year veteran of the Championship who is Canadas all-time leading scorer with 589 Test points.This tour is about solidifying our positions and showing that we belong in the side. For me, I want to put up my hand for my fourth World Cup next year and Sunday is a big chance for me.The game at Sixways in Worcester, England, is the first of four on Canadas November tour.Canada, ranked 17th in the world, will meet No. 22 Namibia in Colwyn Bay, Wales, on Nov. 7, No. 9 Samoa in Vannes, France, on Nov. 14, and No. 16 Romania in Bucharest on Nov. 22.Samoa, Namibia and Romania will join Canada at next years World Cup, with Canada and Romania both featured in Pool D, alongside No. 5 Ireland, No. 7 France, and No. 14 Italy. Saskatoon prop Hubert Buydens will lead Canada, with regular skipper Tyler Ardron (Ospreys, Wales) injured and not available for the start of the tour.Buydens will lead out a team competing as Canada on Sunday despite the fact that the game is not considered an international Test match. The contest falls outside the International Rugby Boards Test window, so Canadian coach Kieran Crowley was not able to summon all of his overseas pros. With only a few training sessions before the weekend match, Crowley has focused on his own players rather than the all-star opponents.Its about getting our stuff in, because the (Canadian) guys have comme from all over the place, different teams, different systems etc. Authentic Tony Esposito Jersey. So its about getting our stuff right, Crowley said Friday. Obviously you know a little bit about individuals from the other side so you highlight that. Buydens, who recently helped the Manawatu Turbos earn promotion in New Zealand, is joined in the front row by Tiedemann and hooker Ray Barkwill.Championship players Hotson and Buekeboom start in the second row with Nanyak Dala, Kyle Gilmour and John Moonlight in the back row.Gordon McRorie starts at scrum half with Pat Parfrey at fly half. Nick Blevins and Ciaran Hearn partner at centre with a back three of Conor Trainor and Sean Duke on the wing and Pritchard at fullback.Canada is looking for improvements after losses to Japan, Scotland and the U.S. in June. A domestic Canada A side also disappointed in finishing third at the recent Americas Rugby Championship.———CanadaHubert Buydens (capt.), unattached, Saskatoon; Ray Barkwill, Niagara Wasps RFC, Niagara Falls, Ont.; Andrew Tiedemann, Plymouth Albion (England), St. Albert, Alta.; Tyler Hotson, Doncaster Knights (England), Vancouver; Brett Buekeboom, Plymouth Albion (England), Lindsay, Ont.; Kyle Gilmour, St. Albert RFC, St. Albert, Alta.; Nanyak Dala, Castaway Wanderers, Regina; John Moonlight, James Bay AA, Pickering, Ont.; Gordon McRorie, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Patrick Parfrey, Swilers RFC, St. Johns, N.L.; Conor Trainor, UBCOB Ravens, Vancouver; Nick Blevins, Calgary Hornets, Calgary; Ciaran Hearn, Castaway Wanderers, Conception Bay South, N.L.; Sean Duke, UVIC Vikes, Vancouver; James Pritchard, Bedford Blues (England), Parkes, Australia.ReplacementsRyan Hamilton, Capilano RFC, Vancouver; Doug Wooldridge, Lindsay RFC, Lindsay, Ont.; Jake Ilnicki, NSW Country Eagles, Williams Lake, B.C.; Jordan Wilson-Ross, James Bay AA, Alliston, Ont.; Seb Pearson, London St. Georges, London, Ont.; Sean White, James Bay AA, Victoria; Connor Braid, Glasgow Warriors (Scotland), Victoria; Jon Phelan, Doncaster Knights, Montreal.———Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '