Replacement for Nabby...

by Dmitriy on Jun 22, 2010 4:46 PM PDT

I wanted to leave Plank's post as a place to thank Nabby - not to start talking about his replacement - so...

Even if Greiss is capable of 20-30 starts next season, I highly doubt his ability to carry us through the playoffs. Therefore, we need a replacement (couldn't have seen that one coming could you!)...so I thought we could brainstorm that here...

Carey Price is all but off the market as MTL traded Halak (as we all know...), so what other options are there?

I've heard something about Tim Thomas, but that would be just stupid as he is more expensive, just as old, and not as good as Nabby..

I read somewhere about Niemi possibly coming here, but that's not highly probable, but maybe...I don't know about that

I know some of us ( *cough* Ghost *cough*) are crazy about Dan Ellis, but I'm not sure if he's the perfect fit, but he would probably be our best bet price-wise..

Turco, Biron, etc. are too old for their money I think...Leighton may not be the best bet, so what do you guys think? :O

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Possible Replacement

One goaltender who I believe has talent, is young, and very price-worthy is Devon Dubnyk, I think if we are able to pair him up with a good defensive line-up and pick some like Willie Mitchell and/or Tallinder. I think we could see this kid soar to the top and although I’m not too sure about his ability to carry us through the playoffs, I believe that in given time he will be an excellent goaltender….

by FutureGeneralManager on Jun 22, 2010 5:03 PM PDT reply actions

Dan Ellis is not the solution

I vote that they should rotate Greiss and Stalock. Like they did with Toskala and Nabokov

Waiting for the cup in San Jose

I never forget a face, but in your case, I'd be glad to make an exception-Groucho Marx

by sanjosesharksfan on Jun 22, 2010 5:11 PM PDT reply actions

Greiss and Stalock have a combined 13 NHL starts.

I’ll leave it at that.

Here's my twitter losers

by idunno723 on Jun 22, 2010 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

and those are all greiss

Im Bill Romanowski, EAT MY STEROIDS OR ILL EAT YOUR F***ING BRAINS!!

by SLOSharks on Jun 22, 2010 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions

And we would be as good as Edmonton

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jun 22, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay that's true

But they’re better in terms of raw potential than most of the alternatives. The way I see it, while going tandem with greiss and stalock will hurt us early season a little, bringing in Ellis, especially Mason, and so on, compromises a playoff run.

Or maybe I’m just wrong? My impressions of Ellis and Mason and etc are only losesly based in reality.

by warning on Jun 23, 2010 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Mason's a darn good goalie.

Ellis is pretty good, too.

I’d feel a lot better with one of them in net than with Greiss or Stalock at this point (or a season’s worth of play after this point.)

"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud member of the "Lifetime Contract for Marleau" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jun 23, 2010 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Seconded!

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jun 23, 2010 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

True that

Okay, so maybe thats NOT the solution. How about we get one veteran and Greiss and leave Stalock in The AHL this year?
Veteran like Turco, Biron, or we could get Ellis even?
Rotate the starts maybe then?

Waiting for the cup in San Jose

I never forget a face, but in your case, I'd be glad to make an exception-Groucho Marx

by sanjosesharksfan on Jun 22, 2010 5:19 PM PDT reply actions

Turco is too expensive

Biron could be a good idea.

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jun 22, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Last season, Biron was like the last kid picked on the team

He was seriously a bargain basement deal. If only asked to provide backup veteran presence for $1.X M, I could be on board for that (if the Sharks weren’t able to get Ellis or even Mason). Nay to Turco.

NIGHTMARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Dan Ellis

by DownRUpLYB on Jun 23, 2010 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Dan Ellis is probably our best solution, at least when it comes to FA’s. Mason would be ok too but anyone other than those 2 would probably be a big mistake imo.

by Khaaz on Jun 22, 2010 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

I posted this in the fanpost i made last week but here’s an article about FA goaltenders: http://www.behindthenethockey.com/2010/5/25/1486097/2010-free-agent-goaltender-market

According to the numbers there Dan Ellis actually has a better even strength SV% than Nabby. His regular SV% is much lower due to problems with Nashville’s penalty kill (Pekka Rinne also had a terrible PK SV%) which is one of the worst in the whole league.

Ellis put out a tweet about how he’s a goaltender who will come fairly cheap, who wants to compete for the starter position, and who wants to go somewhere where he can win; which tells me that he would love to play in San Jose. Maybe we could sign him for as low as 2 million.

by Khaaz on Jun 22, 2010 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I'm with Khaaz on this one.

Ellis is the logical choice. I usually send to dig beyond the stats, and pretty much agree, if not for the Pred’s horrific inadequacies in the PK, Ellis would look a lot better than his stats show.

Though I’d love to be a fly on the wall the second time he and Pavs meet…

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997

by Noctro on Jun 22, 2010 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Welcome to the Dan Ellis Express! :)

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 22, 2010 8:39 PM PDT up reply actions

lmao thanks, i dunno what i was thinking with that JDD stuff.

by Khaaz on Jun 23, 2010 12:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Is it me...

Or does anyone else think that Wilson is going to do something BIG this off season? I don’t know why, I just get the feeling that he is.

by kiwi93 on Jun 22, 2010 6:33 PM PDT reply actions

Hard to say. I kind of feel like the Sharks keep preparing for the last war instead of believing enough in their style of play and personnel. The Flames beat us to a pulp, so we got bigger. The Wings D corps used point shots to generate scoring, so we traded for Boyle. Getting beat by Morrow and then Getlaf made Clowe a top 6 forward, and made Michalek trade bait, but then the Blackhawks skated rings around us.

We need some d-men, but what we really need is for our secondary scorers, checking forwards, and goalies to play better when it counts. Somehow, we ended up being a one-line team with average play from everybody else.

by ievans on Jun 22, 2010 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Based on various rumblings today...

I’m actually really worried that DW isn’t going to do anything big…except the change in goal. I fear he’ll resign the forwards, call up some kids, resign the defense (even Wallin), and then a downgrade in goal. I really worry that is our path.

I hope I’m wrong and Paul Martin ends up in San Jose, though.

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 22, 2010 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions

As long as we get at least ONE of Paul Martin, Willie Mitchell, Niklas Hjalmarsson or maybe Braydon Coburn/Zbynek Michalek, i’ll be super happy. Although i hope we get 2 of those guys.

by Khaaz on Jun 23, 2010 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Reflecting back on "The Conversation"

We’ve been in the conversation for some of the biggest defensive moves during Doug Wilson’s tenure. Niedermayer and Pronger both moved, and we were at least in the conversation.

Doug Wilson knows defense. I know many questioned the Wallin trade, but considering the timing (PRIOR to the Olympic Break), he DID make the best trade for the best defenseman AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME.

If names are available, I expect Wilson to at least make a realistic pitch.

They're not getting this kind of coverage at "Hockey Night In Canada" folks! - Randy Hahn

by ElvisVF101 on Jun 23, 2010 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I read in the Mercury news article today on Nabby leaving

DW said that he was planning on resigning Pavs, Seto, Malhotra, Nichol and Wallin. Can’t say I’m too excited to see Wallin come back. Although it’s also worth noting that apparently Marty Turco, Chris Mason, Michael Leighton and Jose Theodore would be good fits in goal. Personally, I think all of them would be a dumb idea, so hopefully not.

by FinAdic on Jun 23, 2010 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

The thing about Wallin is a little worrisome.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean he will re-sign, but they are trying to. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back if it’s a cheap(er) contract and they are still able to sign another D-man. Basically, the opposite of the Huskins ordeal.

Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jun 23, 2010 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Knowing DW he could work his trade magic during the draft and get a goaltender???....

Just the trade can’t affect bringing back Marleau, Manny, and Nichol and the signing of Paul Martin :)

by SharksFan91 on Jun 22, 2010 9:13 PM PDT reply actions

Eh, I don’t think we can consider anyone as being “off the market”. DW could just as easily trade for a player that’s under contract currently, as he’s done so many times in the past. Though I do agree the chances of a team giving up a good goaltender they have locked down are slim to none.

Any predictions on where Nabby will end up? I actually wouldn’t be surprised if the Flyers picked him up, given their numerous goaltending woes.

..:Fear The Fin:..
The artist formerly known as cyoung

by OtherKid on Jun 23, 2010 9:44 AM PDT reply actions

I think this is going to be one of those bumpy years...

Goaltending is suddenly an issue. We really haven’t had this problem in a LOONG time. When Steve Shields got injured, there was some worry. But then some kid named Evgeni Nabokov stepped up…

I think signing Ellis is an okay option. He’s obviously not a long run solution, seeing as he’ll be 30 at the start of the season. But, if he’s signed, it’ll be more so to have a “veteran” goalie behind Griess. Personally, I was rather impressed by Griess this year, or what little I saw of him. Obviously he isn’t quite NHL-conditioned, but he looked pretty good. Hopefully we get to see some of Stalock this season as well.

Still wouldn’t mind getting Price for a reasonable trade and eventual contract. However, Turco and Thomas.. not an option. They’re old and well past their primes (actually, I’m not sure Thomas even had a prime time…). Biron would be okay.. he’s decent and would be good to have as a backup.

How cool? Think Steve Nash...
"Go Sharks!" -Me

by Bockerz on Jun 23, 2010 2:09 PM PDT reply actions

If we sign Ellis, it wouldn’t be to backup Greiss…but Greiss would get more starts. If we’re relying on Greiss to carry us this season, you are right, it could be a very bumpy year. But he does need to get some starts.

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 23, 2010 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Josh Harding

How bout Harding to back up Greiss if DW doesn’t want to bring up Stalock this year. Heard he’s going to be a FA this year.

"I didn't know it was in until everyone was punching me in the face." - Devin Setoguchi

by Captain Velvet on Jun 24, 2010 1:37 PM PDT reply actions

Vesa

I think we should pick up Toskala for 500k and let him split the time with Griess. If that doesnt work out, or both end up being horrible, bring in Stalock.

by CheechYou on Jun 24, 2010 1:40 PM PDT reply actions

I really don’t understand why anyone in their right mind would think Stalock is in any way ready for the NHL. Yes, he had the most wins in the league…but his teams scored a shitton of goals for him and he had the most starts of anyone in the AHL. His goaltending stats for the season were among the low end of all starters in the AHL this season. Save %: .908, which is decidedly average at best, and good enough for 26th in the league for goalies with at least 30 starts. GAA: 2.63, which is also decidedly average, especially in the AHL, and good enough for 20th in the league. Those aren’t the stats of a goalie who’s ready to jump to the NHL…not by any means.

Now, I’m not saying he’s shit…he’s young, was a rookie, and just needs more seasoning. But he needs to get it in the AHL. At least one more full season there…maybe 2 depending on how he progresses. Bringing him up to the NHL at this point not only would be a terrible move for a team trying to win a Stanley Cup, but would also hinder his growth greatly.

We need to sign someone to pair with Greiss. There really is no two ways around it.

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 24, 2010 2:29 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with this 100%

"Shave it, and you will score." - Randy Hahn
"The last time I made a video in a hotel room…..very different than this." – Drew Remenda
Proud member of the "Bring Back Semenov" Club

by jwizzle241 on Jun 24, 2010 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Rec'd for the truth.

No reason to throw Stalock to the wolves when he isn’t ready.

Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jun 24, 2010 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions

I LOVE Stalock but I agree I would hate to see this kid ruined because he was thrown to the wolves too soon. I think you can call him up for some starts here and there but to ask this kid to carry the load now is silly. He is the future in my mind but let the future come at its own pace.

Who’s gonna finish this off? I am going Boyle. - FML! No more OT Predictions from me!

by Sharkzilla on Jun 25, 2010 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions

So, I've been toying with trading for Vokoun...

Now, I don’t expect this to happen, and I’m not sure if this is a good path to take or not, but it’s interesting to think about nonetheless. Vokoun is a beast. In my view, he’s a Top 3 goalie right now in the league. He also gets paid as one. He’s got one year left on his contract, is 33 years old, and still has a few years left as a top goalie most likely.

Anyways, I was playing around with capgeek and came up with the following. Obviously, it assumes Clowe is part of the trade. Just some food for thought!

2010-11 SAN JOSE SHARKS

Dany Heatley ($7.5m) Joe Thornton ($7.2m) Patrick Marleau ($6.9m)

Devin Setoguchi ($3.2m) Joe Pavelski ($4.0m) Logan Couture ($1.2m)
Benn Ferriero ($0.8m) * Manny Malhotra ($1.8m) Jamie McGinn ($1.0m)
Torrey Mitchell ($1.4m) * Scott Nichol ($0.8m) Frazer McLaren ($0.5m)
LEFT DEFENSE RIGHT DEFENSE
Dan Boyle ($6.7m) Douglas Murray ($2.5m)
Henrik Tallinder ($3.0m) Marc-Edouard Vlasic ($3.1m)
Kent Huskins ($1.7m) Jason Demers ($0.5m)
GOALTENDERS
Tomas Vokoun ($5.7m)
Thomas Greiss ($0.6m)
CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (compiled using the bonus cushion)
ROSTER: 20; CAP: $59.4m; PAYROLL: $60.058m; CAP ROOM: $0.272m BONUSES: $0.930m

The blueline is solid, the forward group is essentially the same, but with Clowe moving on, Couture moving up to the top 6, and Ferriero moving into his spot. There’s also precious little room for any 7th D men or 13th forward…they’d have to run the shuttle again as needed. Still, all in all, it’s not a bad roster. And with Hamhuis off the market (most likely), and if Martin resigns with NJ at some point (I wouldn’t be surprised), the blueline FA class drops a tier…and that would leave some left over money even if we sign one (I like Tallinder as a good shutdown guy to pair with Vlasic and throw at other teams’ top lines), to fit in a good goalie.

I really like Vokoun…wouldn’t be opposed to something like this. I also wouldn’t be opposed to signing Ellis, and beefing up the blueline more. Things are about to get interesting for the Sharks!

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 25, 2010 12:44 AM PDT reply actions

It's definitely interesting.

But like you kind of mentioned, i really can’t see this happening, especially after all the emphasis Doug Wilson put on not dedicating so much money to the goaltender position after letting Nabby go. I’m also not sure if it’s the best way to go either.

If we can’t get Ellis at 2.5 or less, (or another quality goaltender at a bargain cap hit) and we can’t get a guy like Paul Martin or Willie Mitchell then i would definitely be interested in trading for Vokoun and going with a roster like this. God it’d be exciting to see what Vokoun would look like playing on the Sharks. I can just see the other 29 teams crapping their pants after hearing about us getting Vokoun lol. (i know i was crapping my pants at the thought of Chicago getting him at the deadline last season lol)

I wonder what Florida would ask for in a trade for Vokoun though.

by Khaaz on Jun 25, 2010 1:09 AM PDT up reply actions

I just realized that as I was typing i got more and more excited and started liking the idea more and more haha. I started off like, “eh i don’t think we should go that route…” and then a minute later after i hit post I was thinking, “omgomgomg that would be so sick.” haha.

I still can’t imagine DW doing it after everything he’s said though, unfortunately.

by Khaaz on Jun 25, 2010 1:14 AM PDT up reply actions

A goalie like Vokoun would be one of 3 goalies in the league I’d be willing to use actual cap space on (the others being Miller and Rask). Vokoun is the only one potentially gettable, not sure the price. Clowe would have to go back, for sure. Probably a goalie prospect (Sexsmith or Stalock). Maybe our 2011 2nd rounder? I wouldn’t want to give up a 1st for one year of Vokoun. I dunno, proposing trades aren’t my strong point, lol.

The way I see it, the back end can be solidified one of two ways. One is the cheaper goalie and beafy defense route, the other is something like above. I definately think Vokoun is a good option if we can’t get a FA like Martin…because he’s such a badass.

I still really like the Ellis option, though.

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 25, 2010 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Rask....

….what an intriguing thought.

"Never start a fight, but ALWAYS finish it."
Bleeding teal since 1997

by Noctro on Jun 25, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions

lol i can’t imagine Rask being gettable, but I would be willing to trade a lot for him. A goaltender as good as he is, who’s 6’3", with a 1.25 million cap hit, at the age of 23? Yes pleeeease!

by Khaaz on Jun 25, 2010 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Vokoun as well and definitely wouldn't mind him in teal.

If we were still able to give Greiss about 20 or so starts, then I’d be all for it. I don’t want it to be a repeat situation of what we had with Nabby.

Proud member of the "Re-Sign Marleau" club.
Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jun 25, 2010 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions

For sure…no matter who is in net as our starter, Greiss needs to get 20-30 starts in the regular season.

Esta noche nosotros cenamos Tortugas
Así que bueno, ellos serán
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ZeroIndulgence on Jun 25, 2010 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

bring back Vesa

He was awesome as a shark and the team played great in front of him…why the sharks ever kept floppy instead of vesa is a mystery to me, hell the sharks had kipper and stuck with floppy… i bellieve nabakov was the wost thing that could have ever happen to the sharks and their playoff success or there lack of has proven that.

by izinya_dick on Jun 25, 2010 8:32 PM PDT reply actions

..................................................

I don’t even know what to say.

Fear the Fin: Where Sharks Fans Aren't Like Other Sharks Fans.

by SharksFanEst.1994 on Jun 25, 2010 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions

say it

by izinya_dick on Jun 25, 2010 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Thats like saying that losing Rob Davidson was the worst thing that happened to the Sharks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAX3CgnSNPo (its funny because it was also Vesa in net)

by pooponastick on Jun 25, 2010 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I am about to stalk you down, tie you to the radiator, and grape you in the mouth!

reference to the title: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqq051BU2MY

That is the dumbest thing i’ve seen in awhile…
Toskala was flat out horrendous and I don’t care if he played in Toronto in front of a terrible team – he was one of the reasons the team was terrible…Kipper is indeed a good goaltender, but still hasn’t achieved much more then Nabby…I would NEVER bring back Toskala and his huge vag…No Thank You and gtfo…gg!

Go Sharks!

by Dmitriy on Jun 26, 2010 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions