The Boston Bruins and GM Don Sweeney announced some good news on Friday- veteran netminder Jaroslav Halak and the team have agreed to terms on a 1-year extension that will pay him $2.25 million.

Halak, who turns 35 this month, spent the last two seasons with the B’s backing up Tuukka Rask. He went 40-17-10 in 71 appearances with the B’s, proving his value as player who not only has the experience and success to be a number 1 if Rask runs into injury problems, but who also worked  with the former Vezina Trophy winner to give Boston its best goalie tandem since Reggie Lemelin and Andy Moog in the late 80’s/early 90’s.

The former 271st pick (9th round) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens has played in 520 career NHL games with Montreal, the St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, NY Islanders and Bruins, sporting a 272-167-58 record, 2.48 GAA and .916 save percentage.

The deal ensures the Bruins will maintain a highly qualified pairing, while allowing more time for the youth movement to develop without the pressure of needing one of Daniel Vladar, Jeremy Swayman or Kyle Keyser to be Rask’s NHL backup.

Per Dom Tiano, the deal is believed to include a performance bonus based on games played that could earn Halak an additional 1.25 million that would then be applied to the cap after the season maintaining a savings to address re-signings in 2020.

As his agent, Allan Walsh, likes to say on social media- “Halak it a lot!”