A key part of the system in San Jose has been the ability to rely on their goaltenders to bring consistency and stability between the pipes. There has been no call for flashy, game saving net-minding. No one is asking the Sharks tenders to steal hockey games. The only request for a goalie in teal is that you make the saves that should be made, no more, no less.

For the most part Antti Niemi has accomplished that by posting average numbers in a solid defensive system. This past year he was aided by the Sharks offensive output to offset a slight increase in G.A.A. (2.39) and decrease in Sv% (.913) in comparison to his career numbers. Regardless of his numbers it comes down to the fact that he got the job done by making the saves he needed to make.

The problem for Niemi is that his contract is expiring, and his backup had a fantastic season in teal.

Alex Stalock appeared in 24 games, starting 18 of them, and finished the year with a 12-5-2 record. His record v. Niemi’s record shows pennies in the difference with Stalock holding a point percentage equal to a 112 point season and Niemi holding a 110. Where Stalock pulls away is his ability to make the saves he should make and then some. Stalock enjoyed a Sv% of .932 and a G.A.A. of 1.87 over his 18 game start, 24 game appearance, season.

I’m well aware that a backup season is a small sample size to make a case for but I’m not talking about split time just yet. I’m saying Stalock should be given 25-30 starts as opposed to the 18 he had last year, and his numbers demand it. A small sample size it may be but he earned his paycheck during his time in the crease, putting up big-save numbers against Western Conference powers Los Angeles, Chicago and Colorado while he maintained success in the win-loss columns.

The beautiful thing about the San Jose Sharks system is that it’s made to be goaltender interchangeable, meaning no matter who is between the pipes the game plan is the same. When a goalie comes in and does a significantly better job than the anointed starter over almost a quarter seasons worth of work he deserves to be compensated appropriately. That compensation comes in two territories; one being financially and the second being ice time. Stalock was given the first in the off-season, signing a two-year deal with a cap hit of $1.6M per campaign. Now it’s time to compensate the time in the cage.

It’s a low-risk move that gives Stalock a chance to prove himself even more and gives the organization a better gauge on his consistency in the cage as Niemi moves into a contract year. It also gives Antti Niemi more rest, which can’t hurt a goalie who started 64 games last year after appearing in 43 of 48 during the compressed lockout season and joined Finland in Sochi for the 2014 Olympics.

Niemi should be, and will be, the Sharks starting goalie to open the season but he should be feeling pressure to perform in his contract year with Stalock pushing right behind him. It should be an interesting goaltending competition in San Jose as Niemi fights for a new deal and Stalock tries to prove his worth as a potential number one for 2015-2016.

That’s all for now, thanks for reading!

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