SAN JOSE, Ca – The San Jose Sharks have been somewhat quiet so far in this years second season but don’t let that make you think that the wheels aren’t turning in the minds of the management team.
After the disappointing post season loss to the Blackhawks in the conference finals General Manager (GM) Doug Wilson was quoted as saying that the season was only a failure if the organization does not build on the success they had in 2009/10. With this theory we won’t know how to rate the most recent campaign until next year.
At the end of each year win, or lose every GM is forced to make difficult decisions that we all debate well into the following year judging how the new players that are added contribute and how the players who are no longer with the team play for their respective new teams.
It is no surprise that the Sharks have decided to go in a different direction between the pipes for next season. Evgeni Nabakov was a great regular season goaltender in San Jose but was not able to raise his level in the playoffs.
Thomas Greiss started in only 11 games last season and showed great agility, poise and athleticism posting respectable numbers in all categories. He represented Germany in the winter games in Vancouver and held his own against the world’s best hockey players. With the growth Greiss has shown it is only fitting that that he get an opportunity to compete for the number job or at least see more ice. Some goalies thrive with more chances and find rhythm and this year will be an opportunity for the German net minder to do just that.
Antero Nittymaki is long time Shark Evgeni Nabokov’s replacement on the roster, not as the first string goalie but as one of two goalies on the team. Nittymaki was drafted by the Flyers 168th in 1998 in the 6th round. 2005/06 was Nittymaki’s first full season in the NHL with Philadelphia. He played the next four years in the city of brotherly love before signing a one year deal last summer with the Tampa Bay Lightning as an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA.) The 30 year old Finlander was on many nights the Lightning’s’ best player but new GM Steve Yzerman has gone in a different direction by signing Dan Ellis to play alongside Mike Smith.
By letting go of Nabakov this allows the Sharks to save money and see what last year’s back up is truly made of coming into camp knowing he has a shot to earn the starting job.
When the dust settles at the end of the day expect the duties to be shared with Nittymaki playing over half of the games depending who is hot.
The most glaring need for improvement right now on the Sharks roster are defensemen, preferably mobile defensemen.
Rob Blake’s retirement has left a hole on the team as far leadership goes but there are enough character players on the Sharks ready to step up, however his minutes, and in particular his power play minutes and production will not be so easily filled.
San Jose has signed Niclas Wallin who they picked up at the trade deadline. Wallin is a big Swede who plays in his own end well but doesn’t bring much offense to the point. During his time with the Sharks this spring Wallin was nowhere near top form as he played through injuries.
Puck moving defensemen are hard to come across in the NHL and you won’t find any on the free agent list. The best D-man who could fill the void of Blake’s minutes and contribute on the offensive side of things is Tomas Kaberle of the Toronto Maple Leafs. GM Wilson unsuccessfully went after Niklas Hjalmarsson, who was a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) of the Chicago Blackhawks. Hjalmarsson would have filled the void on the Sharks blue line quite nicely but Chicago wisely matched the offer sheet which means he will be in the windy city for the foreseeable future.
Kaberle has been one of the most consistent point producing blue liners in the league for the past several years. He has also shown great production while playing on a team that has not made the playoffs the last five seasons. Kaberle is durable and is arguably the best puck handling rear guard around. He is known for his soft hands, doesn’t take penalties, keeps his nose clean off the ice and comes at a reasonable 4.25 million per year. Even though Toronto hasn’t made the post season in years Kaberle brings 84 games of playoff experience with him making as far as the Eastern Conference finals in the spring of 2002. The downside on Tomas is that he isn’t very physical and he only has one year left on his contract before he becomes an UFA.
The void on defense and the possibility of Kaberle joining team Teal may be why we haven’t heard anything on the re-signing of Devin Setoguchi. It is no secret that the Maple Leafs are holding out for a top six forward for the long time Leaf veteran. Setoguchi is a top forward, he is young which is the direction Toronto is going and former Sharks, and current Leafs head coach Ron Wilson knows him well. In fact Setoguchi’s best season statistically came while playing under coach Wilson.
Jay Leach was re-signed to a one year contract as a depth player.
As far as the forwards go if ain’t broke don’t fix it goes the saying and San Jose finished the season 4th in the league for scoring averaging 3.13 goals per game.
The loss of Manny Malhotra will be tough to absorb but there are players in the farm system ready to step up and the three year 7.5 million contract he signed with Vancouver was too much to match.
Torrey Mitchell showed that he is ready to take on more minutes and played most of the year injury free. Expect the speedy forward to play key minutes this year in place of Manny.
Aside from Malhotra going north of the border the Sharks forwards look poised for another strong season. The nucleus is still intact and Sharks fans everywhere must be happy with the signings of Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski for another four years.
Keep your sticks on the ice,
Contact Cam.Gore@prohockeynews.com
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