Feb 13, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a save during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks have hit the skids at the wrong time as San Jose is just 2-5-2 in the month of February after falling to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night. The Sharks are currently clinging on to the final playoff spot in the Western Conference but all the teams surrounding them have games in hand. San Jose now faces a difficult question: What should they do in goal moving forward?
Antti Niemi has been the starting goaltender for the Sharks after leading the Chicago Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup in 2010, but he is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. There have been multiple reports that San Jose is willing to trade Niemi before the March 2 trade deadline since the organization seems reluctant to bring Niemi back next year. However, Niemi has outplayed backup Alex Stalock, who gave up five goals on 37 shots against the Predators.
Stalock has struggled to find his game from last year when he posted a .932 save percentage and 1.87 goals-against-average (GAA) in 24 games. Sharks fans were excited to see what Stalock could do in a more expanded role, but that has not materialized on the ice. Stalock has a 5-7-2 record, with a .899 save percentage and 2.85 GAA to this point. Those numbers are the main reason why the Sharks might not be able to part with Niemi at the trade deadline if they have any shot of making the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season.
On the flip side, Niemi is having his worst season in teal thus far, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.63 GAA. His performances in the playoffs for the Sharks have left much to be desired as well as Niemi hasn’t been able to get San Jose over the hump. Niemi has a career playoff save percentage of .907 and a 2.74 GAA, including last year’s awful performance where he had a career-worst .884 save percentage and 3.74 GAA in the seven-game series defeat to the Los Angeles Kings.
The Sharks need to figure out their long-term solution between the pipes in order to move the franchise forward. San Jose should pursue all options to trade Niemi if the Sharks continue their poor streak of play. It wouldn’t be an easy decision to make, but the front office has been dedicated to inputting younger players in the lineup, so why not continue the trend in goal.
The Sharks saw first hand what elite level goaltending looks like as Pekka Rinne put on an absolute show, making 42 saves, including multiple, highlight reel stops. San Jose would be wise to solidify their options in goal before looking at any other changes to their roster, and the start of that change might be finding a new home for Niemi.