10 Bold San Jose Sharks Predictions for the 2014-15 Season
By Erik West
3. Alex Stalock will beat out Antti Niemi for the starting job in net
Feb 3, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Stalock (32) replaces goalie Antti Niemi (not pictured) during the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers at SAP Center at San Jose. The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
It is a daunting task to attempt to dethrone a Stanley Cup Champ, former Vezina Trophy finalist, and Olympian. Niemi is all three, and Stalock is zero of them. Stalock had better numbers all around than Niemi last season, Stalock was 12-5-1 with a 1.87 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .932 Save Percentage (SV%). Niemi, was 39-17-7, with a 2.39 GAA, and a .913 SV%.
Sharks GM Doug Wilson, stated this offseason that everyone would have an equal opportunity to take whatever position they want if they earn it, and this could be Stalock’s golden opportunity to grasp the starting gig.