San Jose Sharks: Can Alex Stalock Become San Jose’s Goaltender Of The Future?
March 16, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) during a stoppage in play against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The San Jose Sharks have made plenty of moves this offseason. While many of those have not involved big names nor big money, they are still big moves. One of those moves has to do with their goaltending, and their need for a backup after choosing NOT to re-sign Thomas Greiss.
It seemed like the Sharks were ready to move on after Greiss was unable to become San Jose’s starting goaltender.
In fact, Greiss moves on to a divisional rival in the Phoenix Coyotes. Why the Coyotes? Well, they were in need of a backup goaltender after their backups had moved on.
Replacing Greiss, who was a long-time Sharks in both Worcester and San Jose, will be Alex Stalock. Much like Greiss, Stalock has been a part of the Sharks organization for a majority of his career and was even drafted by them. Still, Stalock only has three NHL starts. The good news, however, is that number will definitely go up by the end of the season with him taking over backup duties behind Anti Niemi.
With Niemi signed for the next two years Stalock may have to wait a few years before he gets a shot to be the starter. In fact, Stalock might even be gone after this year, considering he only signed a one year, $625,000 contract.
However, it is fairly safe to say that if Stalock can prove himself, he could become the Sharks starting goaltender in a few years. Will he be able to do this though?
That remains to be seen, but it seems like the Sharks are willing to give him a shot. He should definitely get enough starts this season to show what he can do. I do not think Todd McLellan wants to give Niemi another heavy load like this season, so Stalock will be the guy in some of those games.
At this point it is hard to tell whether or not Stalock is San Jose’s goalie of the future due to lack of games, but he will get the chance to become it. He also has the talent, despite his numbers not really showing it while playing in ‘Wooster.’ He posted a 2.60 goals against average and a .912 save percentage, numbers which are not stellar.
That being said, he does have the talent in him, having won plenty of NCAA awards as a goaltender and was also part of the 2009-2010 AHL all-rookie team as a member of the Worcester Sharks.
We still do not know if he can make those awards mean anything, but with San Jose’s lack of home-grown talent lately, especially at the goaltending position. For now, it looks as if he may just be another mediocre goaltender who gets stuck going as a backup, at least according to his career statistics. Here’s to hoping he can excel in the next couple of years and become the full fledged starter.