I would take this guy on in a heartbeat. If he is in teal, and he shows that he can handle playing full time, it opens up some interesting scenarios for Nabokov.

Great work Swisher.

But I think Toronto makes too much sense in this situation.

that save at 1:34 was awesome. if he wants to win, he’ll sign with the sharks.

All that advertising on the ice hurts my head.

Looks like he’s already ready for the Stars…

He really likes those cross crease saves, doesn’t he?

If he can close the 5-hole.

Just sayin’

- Very athletic for a large goaltender.
- Doesn’t give up on the play and will do anything to get a piece of his equipment on the puck.
- Plays like a textbook butterfly goalie. pretty good at getting square to the puck and making himself look big in net. Unfortunately, when he can’t utilize his technique, it seems like he has difficulty improvising and instead looks like he’s flapping around in goal.
- Cheats way too much.
- Lacks strong positioning skills. He’ll need to strengthen his positioning to adapt to the NA game. I think he would get exposed on a weak defensive team like Toronto or Colorado.

Unless the Sharks intend on giving the Monster a serious look at the future starting position, I’m not sure I understand the logic behind having him ride the pine when we can have Greiss, Stalock, or Sexsmith get some NHL experience.

According to the Denver Post, Gustavsson and company spent time in the Mile-High City on Monday, 6/15. Crash the Crease suspects he will now visit San Jose, then Dallas and lastly Toronto before making a final decision by week’s end (at the earliest)

Crankshaft go talk to him… Perhaps they could have some sort of “Swedish Brotherhood” or something. He can fill Jo in on all of the wonderful attributes of living in Santana Row.

With the amount of goalies we have in our system, it seems somewhat like a stretch, but if we get this guy, a lot of them could be potential bait.

The Sharks are the only team Gustavsson is looking at that hasn’t changed GMs in the past year. And we’re tied with Toronto for longest-tenured coach (one year! Woohoo!). Although ours is a Jack Adams finalist, so that’s pretty sweet.

So I guess in terms of management stability, we’re the go-to guys. Along side of the whole President’s Trophy, Cup contender, top 5 in PK and PP, least shots/game, excellent defense, and starting goaltender factory thing. So, yeah. Sharks rule.

• Sportsnet.ca (Colorado)
  

  The Denver Post notes that Avalanche VP Jean Martineau said Gustavsson arrived Sunday and left Monday afternoon. He was not made available to the media, but Martineau said Gustavsson met with several Avalanche players and management staff, including new coach Joe Sacco. Martineau confirmed that former Avs star Peter Forsberg has spoken on the team’s behalf, in an unofficial recruiting effort.

  The Fan 590 in Toronto reported that Joe Sakic gave Gustavsson a tour of the Pepsi Center and the city.

• Working the Corners (San Jose)
  

  Goalie Jonas Gustavsson and his Toronto-based agent are getting a guided tour of San Jose and the Sharks organization today as the prized Swedish prospect decides where he wants his NHL career to begin…Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson is acknowledging his pursuit of Gustavsson — "We’ll have any conversation that will improve this hockey team" — but he won’t assess his team’s chances or provide any details of where the talks stand.

Gustavsson’s agent Joe Resnick founded Top Shelf Sports Management with John Thornton, brother and agent of our own Joe Thornton.

Pollak with the news. Man, did he become a posting machine today or what?

The Monster will be in Dallas today (Wednesday) and is expected to spend all day Thursday with the Stars.

(In other Dallas news…damn Trolley Dodgers!)

Forgot to mention this when I FP’d it, but excellent stuff Swisher.

I haven’t seen this kid play in any games so I’m not sure what to say- a lot of buzz around him which has to be a positive. If he signs I assume we’ll flip one of our goalie prospects at the draft to get some picks. Possibly package Cheech in there as well.

McKeen’s Hockey: Scouting Report

"A large butterfly goaltender that fills the net and can make athletic stops. Gustavsson’s bread and butter is stationing himself near the top of the crease, taking away most of the net from the shooter before hitting his compact butterfly. When in the butterfly his height is advantageous because it allows his shoulders to cover the upper portion of the net while his legs fill the lower half. Has a very low sagging stance in which he advertises a gaping five-hole, however he collapses into the butterfly on every save to instantaneously shut it. Typically will exploit his size and sound positioning by hitting the butterfly to play the percentages against shooters in tight, but he also boasts the flexibility and quickness in his lower extremities to make sudden kick saves to stone a crafty shooter. Effectively plays the middle of the net and can snap pucks out of the air with his trapper." ~ Max Giese, McKeen’s Hockey

aren’t his Swedish playoff stats almost identical to Hiller’s first round playoff stats too?

On that basis alone, I hope we sign this guy.

Leafs Hockey Analysis: JG visits Shark Tank

Perhaps this is just an attempt on the part of the Sharks to return to the good old days when their backups were NHL capable netminders – ahhhh nostalgia. See the thing is, Gustavsson wants to be an NHL starter… but going to San Jose means entering yet another situation where he’ll start as the backup with very little clarity on where the team is heading in a year or two…

Dallas News

The Stars have done much of their recruiting through Swedish scout Johan Garpenlov and Stars goalie consultant Andy Moog, who visited with Gustavsson and his people in Sweden this year. Former Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom and former assistant coach Ulf Dahlen, as well as current players Fabian Brunsstrom, Nicklas Grossman and Loui Eriksson, also made their cases for the Stars

Gustavsson arrived in Dallas on Wednesday. Besides touring the Stars facilities and American Airlines Center today, he will attend tonight’s Rangers baseball game, where Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk will throw out the first pitch.

made reference to him in his latest post fyi

Dallas News

The Stars took Jonas Gustavsson around town today, touring AAC and the training facility in Frisco. He is at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington tonight, where he met former President George W. Bush. Then, Gustavsson and Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk each threw out a first pitch before the game against the Astros. He’s expected to watch the game from a suite.

Dude, and DW only took him out to dinner at Forbes Mill Steakhouse

Defending Big D has NHL vid and a few words about JG’s trip to Arlington

And the The Star reports that JG has been spotted in Toronto!!
(I’m sure a couple Leafs fans already own a Gustavsson #50 sweater)

Toronto Sun

“We think he’s ready to play (in the NHL), but if the organization feels he needs some games in the minors, we’re not afraid of that,” Larsson said. “We’re looking where he will get the best situation and the best situation for him may not be as starter. But we are looking for him to play a lot of games. It’s a complex situation. We want him to play, but we don’t want to be on a losing team.”

According to the Toronto Star

Resnick said Gustavsson will make his decision based on his comfort level with the team, its management, stability in ownership and “a gut feel.” – - – “Our goal is to make a decision by July 1 so the teams can make a decision on personnel (when unrestricted free agent signings begin),” said Resnick. “He’s got to go back home and speak with his girlfriend of two years. It’s a big decision.”

SANDOVAL.

Goalkeepers and monsters
Jonas Gustavsson is currently at a goalkeeper workshop in Southern Sunderbyn while he continues to ponder his decision

“I might as well flip a coin to choose. It becomes hard to opt out of three, as all four options are so good. There were 24 clubs interested from the beginning, many fell away immediately and then I stuck to these four who were the most interested and are in need of a new goalkeeper.” – JG

Denik Sport

Maple Leafs have made the biggest impression. – - – “I like General Manager Brian Burke. He has an excellent reputation,” admitted Par Larsson, Player Representative. “But this does not mean that we are close to a decision. Jonas will consider everything when we get back. Within two weeks, we should announce the offer is accepted.”

And the Rumor Mill has been running wild (thanks to hockeybuzz,etc.) regarding JG’s love for the Leafs – reporting it’s a done deal and it’s just a matter of making the official announcement

“It is a great adventure”

From reading the translation, I knew his mother recently passed away from a lung disease – but I was unaware his father also passed away a few years ago from a blood disorder. How sad…though he says " I do not want anyone to feel sorry for me."

They provide the entire breakdown of the trip:

Location: Colorado
Date: June. 14-15.

Representatives from the club: Avalanche Vice President Jean Martineau, General Manager Greg Sherman and new coach Joe Sacco.

Players that Gustavsson talked to: Peter Forsberg and goalie legend Patrick Roy.

How the club tried to charm him:

• In the Pepsi Center dressing room they hung a sweater with his name on it right next to goalie legend Patrick Roy’s sweater, who was Gustavsson’s idol growing up.
• With a computer in the changing room, Gustavsson used Skype to talk to Patrick Roy for 30 minutes.
• When Colorado was told that his girlfriend Emelie Witt did not dare to fly to the U.S., saw to it that she receive a photo album with pictures from Denver to enjoy.

Location: San José
Date: June 16.

Representatives from the club: President Greg Jamison and general manager Doug Wilson.

Players that Gustavsson talked with: Joe Thornton and Douglas Murray.

How the club tried to charm him:

• A locker ready in the changing room with a name plate and a goalkeeper jersey with his name.
• Doug Wilson gave Gustavsson a tour of San José (topped w/ steak dinner)
• San José has a trump card in the team’s star Joe Thornton’s brother, John Thornton, who was representing Gustavsson in North America along with Joe Resnick.

Location: Dallas
Date: June 17.

Representatives from the club: General manager Joe Nieuwendyk.

Players that Gustavsson talked to: Ulf Dahlén, Mattias Norström and Fabian Brunström.

How the club tried to charm him:

• Provided him with a custom goalie jersey with his name.
• Gustavsson, along with Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk, threw out the ceremonial first pitch in a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.
• Gustavsson met former U.S. President George W Bush and his wife Laura.

Location: Toronto
Date: June 19-20.

Representatives from the club: General manager Brian Burke and coach Ron Wilson.

Players Gustavsson talked to: Börje Salming and Jonas Frögren.

How the club tried to charm him:

• The club literally rolled out the red carpet for Gustavsson to make his entrance.
• Toronto introduced newly recruited goalie coach Francois Allaire.
• Toronto also put together a DVD with places to live in Toronto for Gustavsson to show the girlfriend Emelie Witt. And of course, provided Gustavsson with a specially designed game jersey with his name.
• (They also showed Gustavsson the row of plaques featuring past Toronto goalie greats, with his very own plaque placed at the end – right after Cujo)

Defending Big D: Stars looking to move Brunnstrom? Hmm, such a rumor may sway the Monster’s decision

Denver Post: Avalanche re-sign Budaj. If Gustavsson does not choose the Avs, the team is expected to sign a goalie on the free-agent market (Martin Biron, Ty Conklin, Scott Clemmensen, Craig Anderson, Nikolai Khabibulin)

Sportsnet: Leafs qualify goaltender Pogge

As for Gustavsson’s decision, he said he hopes to sign with a team by July 1st. Also note, Sweden is about 8 hours ahead, so the news may hit the Web during the early morning hours

Sportsnet

Jonas Gustavsson, the free-agent goalie from Sweden is going to wait until after July 1 to announce his decision. Gustavsson’s agent Joe Resnick told Hockeycentral “It’s highly unlikely we’ll commit before 12 noon Wednesday. With so many teams potentially making major changes to their rosters, maybe it’s best to wait and watch it unfold first.”

Eh…
I suppose the rumor (among others) that Dallas was looking to package Brunnstrom in a deal may have persuaded the Gustavsson camp to hold off until the FA Frenzy passes. The teams most in need of goaltending NOW, Colorado and Toronto, are likely thrilled by this news [/snark]

“Burke says Gustavsson is still noncommittal after meeting with him in Sweden.”

The backstory: Apparently Burke and goaltending coach Francois Allaire flew into Stockholm the other day looking to converse face-to-face with the Sedins, but after the twins opted to re-up with Vancouver Burke & Allaire then turned their attention to Gustavsson (again). Also, the rumor remains that Dallas and Toronto are the final two (as was the case in the Brunnström sweepstakes)

But…

Reports now state Burke is in serious negotiation with Färjestad’s captain, foward Rickard Wallin. An offer has been made, and Wallin is considering becoming a Maple Leaf despite signing a 4yr contract w/ Färjestad last spring. He negotiated a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for the NHL prior to July 15. Toronto already has X-Färjestad Dman Jonas Frogren in the mix.

The latest entry in the Maple Leafs Hot Stove:

Perhaps the more interesting twist to this story is the obvious fact that he’s a teammate of the highly sought after goaltender Jonas Gustavsson. Having recently lost his mother, Jonas is currently having a tough time making a decision and is seeking out the comfort of friends and family. He recently had dinner with Jonas Frogren to discuss the merits of playing in Toronto, and had a similar outing with Fabian Brunnstrom. Bringing over the team’s captain and veteran teammate Rickard Wallin may be a brilliant tactical move by Burke to ease the tension of a brand new start, thus tipping the balance in Toronto’s favor.

Nice update at Defending Big D that shows both Dallas and Toronto are making a hard push for JG. According to Strickland (blargh) Tampa Bay and St.Louis have also tried to work their way back onto the list by recently contacting him directly, against his agents wishes.

The kid said he wanted to take a few more days to wind down after the loss of his mother, the tour and the pressure of making a life changing decision. I’m almost hoping he is put off by the Leafs and Stars aggressive pursuit of his services, and that he opts for San Jose simply because they allowed him his time and space.

Here’s the lowdown on the latest installment in the epic Jonas Gustavsson saga. Earlier this afternoon during the media scrum to announce the Beauchemin and Kadri signings, Brian Burke mentioned that Gustavsson and his agent had informed him that they had set a deadline for tomorrow to make a decision. However, Burke did follow up that statement by explaining that all of the deadlines set thus far had been self-imposed, and that he would not be angry if Jonas needed more time. On the heels of this news, Sportsnet’s hockey insider Nick Kypreos explains that his sources have told him that Gustavsson is expected to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow. Toronto is 6 hours behind Swedish time, so it’s possible that an announcement may come out in the morning or early afternoon…