My Two Cents: “As The Teal Turns” – Remenda Out; Sharks TV Deal; Stalock Resigned; Thoughts on Gwynn

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Stalock Returns- The Sharks resigned goalie Alex Stalock to a new deal worth $1.6 million over the next two seasons. Stalock had it not been for a career threatening injury a few years ago may have been with the franchise sooner. Stalock earned his new deal as he showed he can not only handle the pressures that go on with being between the pipes for team teal, he actually thrives on the pressure and actually plays better with the game being intense. What Stalock did this past season will only prepare hin perhaps for the time that he may become the Sharks top goal tender on the roster. Every time I watched Stalock, he was impressive. Even in games where he was on the wrong end of the score, he never quit on the game or on a play. He played a full 60 minutes even when the team didn’t. If you want to look at how to become highly a successful goalie in the NHL, look just to the south at Jonathan Quick as an example. Quick is not afraid to get in a teammates face and demands that his team gives a full effort. His team responds. This is what Stalock will need to do, he has the tools to be successful and many of the same abilities that Quick has. Stalock is certainly not at Quick’s level now, but given the opportunity and time he can get there but needs the help of his teammates as any goalie would. As for Antti Niemi, it will be interesting to see what happens with him. Niemi won a Cup with Chicago four years ago and still has good qualities, but this past season was certainly not his best. I do not know if he will remain with the Sharks. He could just as easily be the opening night goalie for team teal as he could be with another team. Niemi seems to be the mostly likely candidate to be traded as the Sharks could still get some value for him. Regardless of what happens with Niemi, look for Stalock to be in strong competition for the Sharks number one net minder job.

NHL Off-season Moves of Note- The Anaheim Ducks announced that Jonas Hiller, Saku Koivu and former Shark Daniel Winnik will not be returning to Orange County next season. With Koivu being 39 and Winnik being a journeyman, those two moves aren’t all that surprising. However Hiller was a bit of a shock when you consider he was one of the more stalwart goalies in the NHL. Injuries plus the emergence of Frederick Anderson and John Gibson was enough apparently for the Ducks to send Hiller packing. Could the Sharks pick up Hiller should Niemi be dealt elsewhere? Perhaps. However if you are thinking of bringing him in, he will need to pass a physical and hopefully he will still have enough of his skills which earned him the nickname “Hiller the Shark Killer.”. Also, former Shark Jamie McGinn has signed a two-year $5.9 million dollar deal to remain with the Colorado Avalanche. The New York Rangers will be buying out Brad Richards contact. As for the Sharks, GM Doug Wilson is emphasizing the need for a rebuilt and for the Sharks being a “Tomorrow Team”. While some rebuild is needed, you cannot forget about the core you still have and can build around. What DW decides to do here remains to be seen.

Clearing One Item Up- Last week’s “My Two Cents” took a different approach which has left some questions that I wanted to clear up. First off, it was NOT to imply that the Sharks were up for sale and that Hasso Plattner was looking to sell the team. The Sharks are not for sale, the disclaimer is mentioned in the article. The reason for the article was to explore how the Sharks might look if they had different ownership at the helm. I am aware that Plattner would never sell the franchise to Larry Ellison. The reason that I mentioned Ellison was that he like Plattner has very deep pockets. Where Plattner took a somewhat impassive approach to the Sharks playoff loss, Ellsion (along with the also mentioned Paul Allen and Steve Ballmer) would be ones who would demand answers and would do all they could to put the Sharks in the best position to win a title. I do not get the same feeling with Plattner. Many disagreed with the article which is what I expected and I even understand why. I respect that and am grateful for the feedback even from the harshest of the critics. However many more actually agreed with the article as being on point. The purpose was to simply wake up the fan base to what’s going on. This is your team too, but you may have to fight to keep it. If this news of this week is indication of what’s going on with the franchise, you now see why I’m critical of Plattner and SJSEE. From what it appears, there has been a ton of mismanagement going on under their watch. All the while the Kings have won two Stanley Cups while Anaheim has one in the last seven years. I no longer think it’s a coincidence. Greatness starts at the top. At times, so does mismanagement.  Hence my concerns, hence the article.