mark.freitas
The Back-up Situation
Posted 3:27 PM ET | Comments 2
It is nearing September and San Jose still has no back-up for Nabokov. The likely candidates are Thomas Greiss and Dimitri Patzold. The goalie system in San Jose is one of the very best. This year however it seemed to me that the Sharks would sign a veteran back-up. With the loss of Vesa Toskala it seems Nabokov will take most of the load next season. A great end to the season put Nabokov back in the #1 spot , and it is still his to lose. So who will start the games in between , to give him a rest or in case of injury ? Well your guess is as good as mine.
Thomas Greiss has shown some promise. In 43 games last season in the AHL he posted a 26-15 record with a GA of 2.61 and a save pct. of .916. If San Jose looks to within he is probably the best bet.Dimitri Patold was called up last season due to an injury. I don't believe San Jose ever had any intention of playing him though.
Other options include signing a UFA such as Robert Esche or Curtis Joseph. Esche is probably the most likely to come here. At 29 years old Esche can still turn out to be a very good back-up or possible starter. The Sharks may be the team that can help get him back into that form.With a chance to start some games for a very good San Jose team Esche may be able to put up some good numbers and forget about last seasons lackluster performance. For the right price Esche may be a good fit. As for Cujo I just don't see him coming to San Jose.
Another possibility is via trade. With it looking more and more like Marleau will be dealt, San Jose could get a goaltender in a swap. One potential return could be Jaroslav Halak from Montreal. The rumors of something of this sort have run rampant in the rumor world. I believe there may be something there. It seems to me that San Jose is asking for one other piece to this deal that Montreal is not ready to throw in. Halak showed some great potential last season and could be a true starter in a couple years time. Playing behind Nabokov would be a great learning experience for the young goaltender.
San Jose will most likely wait until training camp to see how well Greiss and Patzold perform , before making a final decision. However if Marleau must go , I believe Halak will be the man backing up Nabokov.
Thomas Greiss has shown some promise. In 43 games last season in the AHL he posted a 26-15 record with a GA of 2.61 and a save pct. of .916. If San Jose looks to within he is probably the best bet.Dimitri Patold was called up last season due to an injury. I don't believe San Jose ever had any intention of playing him though.
Other options include signing a UFA such as Robert Esche or Curtis Joseph. Esche is probably the most likely to come here. At 29 years old Esche can still turn out to be a very good back-up or possible starter. The Sharks may be the team that can help get him back into that form.With a chance to start some games for a very good San Jose team Esche may be able to put up some good numbers and forget about last seasons lackluster performance. For the right price Esche may be a good fit. As for Cujo I just don't see him coming to San Jose.
Another possibility is via trade. With it looking more and more like Marleau will be dealt, San Jose could get a goaltender in a swap. One potential return could be Jaroslav Halak from Montreal. The rumors of something of this sort have run rampant in the rumor world. I believe there may be something there. It seems to me that San Jose is asking for one other piece to this deal that Montreal is not ready to throw in. Halak showed some great potential last season and could be a true starter in a couple years time. Playing behind Nabokov would be a great learning experience for the young goaltender.
San Jose will most likely wait until training camp to see how well Greiss and Patzold perform , before making a final decision. However if Marleau must go , I believe Halak will be the man backing up Nabokov.
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15 Why San Jose can not afford to let Marleau go !
20 The Back-up Situation
21 Oh My Michalek !
23 Why the frustration ?
20 The Back-up Situation
21 Oh My Michalek !
23 Why the frustration ?
05 The Sharks New Old Guy !
17 Sharks Scarce In Bay Area Media
21 Quick Rant On The New Look
25 Sharks look to keep Calgary winless, 5 more players cut
27 Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Also Sharks Radio Update
17 Sharks Scarce In Bay Area Media
21 Quick Rant On The New Look
25 Sharks look to keep Calgary winless, 5 more players cut
27 Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Also Sharks Radio Update
03 San Jose gets to 23 !
05 Sharks Vs. Canucks ; Keys to the game
10 Sharks @ Blackhawks ; Keys to the game
12 An Octoberview !
15 10/13-10/14
23 Time for a Break
25 A Fans Perspective
26 The Bay Area Media, Mark Purdy on the Sharks!
30 The Winds of Change
05 Sharks Vs. Canucks ; Keys to the game
10 Sharks @ Blackhawks ; Keys to the game
12 An Octoberview !
15 10/13-10/14
23 Time for a Break
25 A Fans Perspective
26 The Bay Area Media, Mark Purdy on the Sharks!
30 The Winds of Change
02 Players in Sharks History: Ulf Dahlen
08 Where are all the Goals ?
09 Sharks @ Ducks 11/9/07
13 Blogger formerly known as NcShark ! Thank You JR !
14 Sharks @ Dallas 11/14: Keys to the Game
16 Winning the Games they should Win !
19 Giving Thanks For Some Rest
20 Five More Player Evaluations !
26 We're Back ! Sharks Talkcast Tonight: Questions of Concern !
28 Why We Love The NHL
29 To Compete Or To Not Compete
30 Sharks vs. Avalanche; Keys to the game
08 Where are all the Goals ?
09 Sharks @ Ducks 11/9/07
13 Blogger formerly known as NcShark ! Thank You JR !
14 Sharks @ Dallas 11/14: Keys to the Game
16 Winning the Games they should Win !
19 Giving Thanks For Some Rest
20 Five More Player Evaluations !
26 We're Back ! Sharks Talkcast Tonight: Questions of Concern !
28 Why We Love The NHL
29 To Compete Or To Not Compete
30 Sharks vs. Avalanche; Keys to the game
06 Oh What a Night
07 Sharks @ Phoenix ; Keys To The Game
09 Lackluster play leads to 7-1 Beating !
10 10 Questions For Wednesdays Talkcast; No Talkcast Tonight
11 A Step In The Right Direction !
13 Sharks vs. Canucks; Keys to the Game
14 Home Ice Becoming Very Nice !
15 Sharks 1-0 after 1st * edit*
17 Sharks Play Spoilers; SharksBuzz Tonight
18 Sharks vs. Ducks 12/18; Keys to the Game
19 Ducks Blank Sharks; SHARKSBUZZ Tonight!
20 Fish vs. Dogs 12/20; Keys to the Game
24 Merry X-Mas !
26 Back To Work !
28 Sharks @ Blues; Keys to the Game, Setoguchi back to Woostah
07 Sharks @ Phoenix ; Keys To The Game
09 Lackluster play leads to 7-1 Beating !
10 10 Questions For Wednesdays Talkcast; No Talkcast Tonight
11 A Step In The Right Direction !
13 Sharks vs. Canucks; Keys to the Game
14 Home Ice Becoming Very Nice !
15 Sharks 1-0 after 1st * edit*
17 Sharks Play Spoilers; SharksBuzz Tonight
18 Sharks vs. Ducks 12/18; Keys to the Game
19 Ducks Blank Sharks; SHARKSBUZZ Tonight!
20 Fish vs. Dogs 12/20; Keys to the Game
24 Merry X-Mas !
26 Back To Work !
28 Sharks @ Blues; Keys to the Game, Setoguchi back to Woostah
Best watch out for Dakers.
Taylor is very good ! I think San Jose wants to make sure they don't rush him though. He will start for the Sharks soon enough !