It’s
the same old same old. The best players are just that, but we’re not even in
the playoffs and the San Jose Sharks are slowly falling apart. The team is near
if not already in must win territory; but just in the last eight games they
lost twice on home ice to of all teams Edmonton & Carolina.
Very safe to assume that if the Sharks manage to make the playoffs it could
very well be last kick at the can for Sharks coach Todd McLellan and maybe even
general manager Doug Wilson. For them to stay on the job yet another year they
need to move onto the 3rd round; or look very good in losing in the 2nd round.
Getting into the two wildcards spots will in all likely hood include a quick
first round exit against either Anaheim or Nashville. They need to get into the
second or third place in the Pacific division, which based on the Sharks play
plus others picking up their play won’t happen.
At the end of last year Alex Stalock looked to be taking over the starting job
over veteran Antti Niemi. But come the post season Niemi got the meaningful
starts and they of course blew a 3-0 over the Kings to lose in 7 games.
This year Niemi has started 44 of 58 games; which would indicate they're
going to win/lose with him and not Stalock.
But the question needs to be asked are the Sharks content with their
goaltending. Both netminders have a 2.61 & 2.68 g.a.a; which leaves them in
the middle of the pack of goalies numbers.
Do
they pull upgrade the goaltending before March 2?
Niemi is in the last year of his 4 year contract; and like the coach & GM
another quick playoff exit means he's a goner. Do they wait for that to happen
are do the make a move at or before the March 2 deadline.
A few goalies who would be an upgrade on Stalock could be available. One
being Carolina's Anton Khudobin; Ottawa's Craig Anderson, Toronto's Jonathan
Bernier and if Minnesota falls out of the playoff picture Devon Dubynk.
A 2nd rounder + prospect if not maybe a little more would be required for
Bernier, a 2nd would get Dubnyk (of the circumstances are right). Khudobin
could be had for a 3rd rounder; for Anderson you'd need a top prospect or
a 1rst rounder.
Not loaded with assets
The fact remains this. If the Sharks are looking for any significant changes
all the other will be inquiring into very few assets. The obvious trio of
Pavelski, Couture & Burns would be who the other teams would be after.
Without question that for San Jose is a non-starter; so what else could they
do? They would be open to moving any draft pick but there first, most of their bottom
six forwards (with the exception if Wingels) or 5-6-7 de-man would be open for
conversion to be moved.
In his rookie season Tomas Hetrl
had many experts thinking he was the next Jaromir Jagr; that was before he met
Dustin Brown on Dec 19, 2013. Before the injury, in 35 games he scored 15
goals with 25 points. This year in 56 games he’s got 10 goals 22 points.
Because of the huge decrease in numbers the value of him in regards to a trade
has gone down as well
Same can be said for Matt Nieto; unlike Hertl; Nieto played mainly on the 3rd-4th
line in his rookie season. His numbers were ok, scoring 10 times in 66 games;
but this year his production is down slightly but there is not the progression
they’d hope to see.
Sellers?
Two years ago the Sharks traded
off a few vets who were set to become UFA’s. Could they do the same with Niemi
or Scott Hannan, Andrew Desjardins and Tyler Kennedy? The least unlikely to
move would be Niemi because it’s quite clear Stalock is not ready for
prime time.
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