Near the end of the 2013-14 season,
the San Jose Sharks looked to be going in a different direction with their goaltending. Alex Stallock was getting important starts
going down the stretch; but then the playoffs rolled around Anti Niemi once
again got the key starts. This year despite exact numbers statically Niemi has
started 42 games while Stallock has been in 14 games.
The question would be this; would
general manager Doug Wilson & coach Todd McLellan risk there jobs with
Niemi & Stallock again in the playoffs? That tandem has failed in the past 4
years, with Niemi going 19-20 or would they look outside for an improvement.
Could Sharks be one of teams
interested in Toronto’s Jonathan Bernier either at the deadline or at the draft?
One would assume the asking price would be a 2nd & 4th
rounder or even a conditional 1rst rounder.
Bernier would without question be an upgrade on Stallock; with the jury
being out on Niemi. The Finnish netminder who has won a Cup with Chicago is a UFA at years end;
while Stallock has 1 yr remaining before becoming a UFA.
Reason why I mention Bernier; other
than Anton Khudobin no other goalie of substance is available for a reasonable price
(both required to obtain + salary). Bernier would be much improved in front of
the Sharks better defensive setup compared to the Leafs.
I’m sure if Bernier was given a
choice he’d rather be moved to a team that has a chance to be competitive
compared to a rebuild from scratch with the Leafs.
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