San Jose Shark Updates (pre-draft)

So here's what's happened in summary.

• Chicago Blackhawks win Stanley Cup
• Then they blow up their team.
• Sharks help them blow up their team.
• Sharks resign Marleau and Pavelski to 4 year deals, laugh at Blackhawks.
  

LOL.

First things first. Doug Wilson tells Nabokov he wasn't in the plans, and can't be signed. This is a prime example of what a great organization the San Jose Sharks are. Instead of just leaving it open, DW comes straight out and tells Nabokov face to face, "We can't sign you, but thank you for all you have done." How many organizations would just send him a text, or not say anything at all? Doug Wilson knows how to play and run an organization to the best professionalism possible.

That being said, I knew it would be hard for Nabokov to stay with the Sharks. Many people blame Nabokov for being the acchillies heel of the team. I don't think it's that bad. But I focused on age (35). He's not going to get a big long contract. and it was time to move on.

So far the big trade was Chicago sending Dustin Byufooiagain to Atlanta. Lots of players moved. Atlanta would have had too many people under contract. San Jose comes in and goes, "I'll take 2 contracts from you, therefore you can take our rival's top player out of the western conference and into the east." Brilliant DW, BRILLIANT.
Meet
F Brett Sterling, UFA: $0.5m
D Mike Vernace, RFA: $0.5m
Draft Pick

They probably won't be resigned so they'll be free agents. Atlanta got "Future considerations". it's a small price to pay to help blow up the Chicago Blackhawks.

And finally, with Nabokov gone, Sharks were able to retain 2 important pieces. Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. I thought Marleau would be gone. But he (and Pavelski) both gave "Hometown discounts" and now they are sharks for 4 more years.

What's left? Find a goalie. and there are alot of underachieving goalies out there. Then see if Malhotra or Nichol or Wallin will resign. I'd say the Sharks are still one of the powerhouses of the western conference.

Now it's time for the Draft... 4PM NHL Network. oh darn, no NHL network for me... :(

NHL - Free Agent Goalies

Ok. so we know the Sharks have a few key pieces and few minor pieces that are Free Agents. But who else is out there? lets take a look at nhlnumbers.com (http://nhlnumbers.com/freeagents.php)

Goalies

• Marty Turco (DAL) - Not going to get a big contract, but someone needing goaltending will want him.
  
• Evgeni Nabokov (SJS) - Considering Age and consistancy, Nabokov is the top goalie available this year.
  
• Jose Theodore (WAS) - sharing time in nets in Washington, He's lost his job many times. Long time since his MVP year.
  
• Vesa Toskala (TOR->ANA->CAL) - Never felt comfortable in Toronto. He might be the guy the Sharks focus on due to his success here. And he's cheap.
  
• Dan Ellis (NSH) - Here's an interesting player. He's out of Nashville since they gave the other guy the contract. He's carried the team to the playoffs before.
  
• Ray Emery (PHI) - The Enigma Emery is not the type of player to bring into the Sharks.
• Micheal Leighton (PHI) - took the team to the finals! he's gonna be sought after. but will he make the regular season?
• Andrew Raycroft (VAN) - former Rookie of the year
  
• Others: Martin Biron, Johan Hedberg (return of the Moose), Stephen Valiquette,

There are some good RFAs. These will cost us something to get.

• Carey Price (MTL) - This guy is the next Ray Emery. he's done some crazy stuff, like throw his stick at a player after a goal. wtf.
  
• Josh Harding (MIN) - good young goalie.
  
• Jonas Gustavsson (TOR) - probably going to be given the reigns to the team next year. Essentially his situation is the same with San Jose. Play a season and take over the next.
• Michal Neuvirth (WAS) - well Washinton needs a goalie. why not younger and cheaper.
• Antti Niemi (CHI) - He'll cost Chicago alot. They'll lose other players to keep him. Is he the next Patrick Roy? or the next Cam Ward?

My vote: Vesa Toskala comes back on a 1 year deal. He's 34, gets a chance to compete with Thomas Griess for the Starting job. He's better than what Toronto (who plays no defense) gave him. But he's just a stopgap till Stalock is ready.

San Jose Sharks 2010 Reviews - Goalies

Here's my review of the San Jose Sharks - Goalie situation.
Unrestricted Free Agent

• Evgeni Nabokov - Top 5 Goalies in the league. But has a reputation of disappearing in big games. Though he played very well, he has had issues performing under pressure. My question is, If you let him walk away, who do you replace him with? You have to know someone is going to be even or better. And I don't see that in this years free agent class.

Under Contract

• Thomas Griess (1 year left) - Starter on Team Germany, but Germany didn't have any goalies. So he faced the pressure and did as well as he could on a team that wasn't expected to win.

Minors / Development

• Alex Stalock (Minor League Rookie) - This is the Dark Horse. Set Rookie records in Worcester. He could be tabbed as the future goalie. I doubt he will be ready for next season.
• Tyler Sexsmith (Worcester) - Fell behind Stalock.
• Henrik Karlsson - another dark horse who is a free agent. Signed from Sweden. Dont' know anything about him, but is a positive picture.

My Bet: Nabokov gets signed to a 2 year contract, but doens't get paid as much. He sticks around for 1 year, then traded. Griess and Stalock, man the team down the stretch. Stalock comes in for 2011-2012, and the quest for the cup continues again.

San Jose Sharks 2010 Reviews - Defense

Here's my Review of the Sharks Defensive Core

Unrestricted Free Agents

• Rob Blake (Retiring) - The Captain. He will retire this offseason.
• Nicklas Wallin - The big pickup at the trading deadline. However it didn't work out as well. He got hurt and was not the same during the playoffs. My bet is he walks.
  
• Jay Leach - Leach came in and did good minutes. But he was unable to crack the lineup. He was this year's Alexi Seminov. Probably gone next year.
  
• Joe Callahan - Played 1 game. didn't make an impact.

Restricted Free Agents

• Derek Joslin - The guy I'm looking to step up next season.

Under Contract

• Kent Huskins (1yr) - Started slow, but became steady in as the season continued. Might get traded.
  
• Douglas Murray (3yrs) - Physical Presence. Paired with Boyle as the steady D.
  
• Marc Edouard Vlasic (3yrs) - Steady defensive prowess. Not offensive, but did step back on the offense.
• Dan Boyle (4yrs) - The Leader of the bunch. Under Contract. Top 5 Defensemen in the league
  
• Jason Demers (1yr, RFA) - Stepped up as the offensive Defensemen, QB the Powerplay 2 team.
  

Boyle, Vlasic, and Murray will be top 3 on this team. But the remaining 5-6 spots will be up for grabs. My bet is Huskins and Demers will get 2 of those spots. Wallin can stay but Huskins probably has to be moved in order to sign Wallin.
Derek Joslin needs to sign and make an impact next season.