The New York Islanders signed a goaltender to a long-term deal, signifying their expectation that they will be better next season. Vans Shoes Clearance . 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. Cheap Vans Sale . Gauteng High Court Judge Dunstan Mlambo ruled Tuesday that South African media houses will be allowed to install three remote controlled cameras in court for the Olympic athletes trial starting next week to capture images that likely will be seen by millions around the world. Wholesale Vans Shoes From China . Bjoerndalen, who had failed to win any major race for two years before Sochi, writes in a Facebook entry that he is "full of energy and inspiration" after winning the 10-kilometre sprint and mixed relay at last months Olympics. http://www.cheapvanssale.com/ . The union filed a grievance late Thursday, one day after Goodell suspended four players who participated in bounties from 2009-11. The complaint says Goodell is prohibited from punishing players for any aspect of the case occurring before the new collective bargaining agreement was signed last August.DENVER -- Reserve J.J. Hickson had 21 points and Ty Lawson scored eight of his 19 in a late fourth-quarter run, helping the Denver Nuggets end the Los Angeles Clippers 11-game winning streak with a 110-100 victory Monday night. The Clippers streak was tied for second-longest in franchise history. Their longest, 17 in a row last season, also was snapped by Denver at Pepsi Center. Kenneth Faried added 18 points and 16 rebounds in a duel in the paint against Blake Griffin, who finished with 26 points and 12 boards. Down 98-96 with 4:21 remaining, Lawson hit a 3-point to give the Nuggets a lead they wouldnt relinquish. It was part of a 14-2 run to close out the game. The Clippers didnt score again after DeAndre Jordans dunk at 3:31. The Clippers had plenty of chances to get back into the contest, but Randy Foye foiled any rally bid -- hitting a big 3-pointer and later blocking Reggie Bullocks shot on a drive. Still, it was quite a St. Patricks Day for Griffin. He began the day by being named the leagues player of the week for a third time this season. Then, he went out and scored at least 20 points in a career-best 27th straight game. Chris Paul finished 29 points. He also had seven assists, giving him 5,996 or his career. Hes trying to join Magic Johnson, John Stockton and Isiah Thomas as the only NBA players to go over the 6,000-assist plateau before their 29th birthday. Paul turns 29 in May. The Clippers played the night before, beating Cleveland 102-80, and seemed to fade late in the fourth quarter. Los Angeles was without Darren Collison, who didnt make the trip because of a stomach virus. The team already was missing J.J. Redick (bulging disk), Jamal Crawford (strained left calf). Denver turned in a five-point possession moments after losingg the lead early in the third quarter. Cheap Authentic Vans Shoes. Lawson hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired and was fouled by Paul, who was incensed over the play and given a technical. Foye made the technical foul and Lawson hit his free throw to make it a 65-63 game. Griffin tumbled all over the court in the first half, dragging down Faried on one sequence -- Faried was called for a foul -- and ran into a cameraman at halfcourt trying to track down a loose ball. Paul was a bit dinged up as he landed awkwardly on his left leg after a shot in the second quarter, and later was hit in the face by Wilson Chandlers leg when Chandler tried to leap over the Clippers point guard. Paul stood his ground and drew the charge. Denver led 56-53 at halftime despite Paul going for 20 and Griffin adding 16. The Nuggets wore replica uniforms of the 1993-94 team to honour the squad that knocked off top-seeded Seattle in the post-season. Several of the players and coaches from that team showed up for the celebration, including Dikembe Mutombo and LaPhonso Ellis. Ellis and several of his former teammates had dinner the night before with current players to chat about the glory days, when the Nuggets erased a 2-0 deficit to beat the Sonics -- then coached by George Karl -- in a decisive fifth game. "Fascinating to hear all the stories and add some little details to maybe some unfinished stories," Ellis said. "We feel very overwhelmed, flattered and honoured that (the Nuggets) would extend to us an unbelievable gesture." NOTES: The Clippers were outscored in second chance points, 23-19. ... Nuggets Fs Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur were both called for technical fouls in the first half. ... Dan Issel, the head coach of the 93-94 team, brought out the game ball before tip. 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