San Jose Sharks Make Right Call In Keeping Aaron Dell

The San Jose Sharks, in keeping backup goalie Aaron Dell, have proved an old adage true — sometimes, the best move to make is to not make a move at all.

Before the NHL trade deadline, the San Jose Sharks had been looking for a potential backup for starter Martin Jones. Instead, the admirable job done by current backup, Aaron Dell, gave Sharks’ management confidence as the team prepares for the stretch run before the playoffs.

Dell has not appeared in many games this season for the Sharks, but his teammates have no cause for concern when he does get the call.

A 7-3-1 record with a .934 save percentage and 1.95 goals against average is respectable for a goalie in his first NHL season. In each of his starts this season, Dell has shown no signs of weakness in all phases of the game.

And at times, it has been his play that’s kept the Sharks in a few games.

His debut was memorable in a 21-save effort to earn his first career win as an NHL goalie with a 3-2 on the road against the New York Islanders.

Despite giving up the lead in the second period, Dell was unfazed and came up big when needed. And his persistence was rewarded when Joe Pavelski scored the game-winning goal late in the third period.

But his two starts against Carolina and Philadelphia — on the road, no less — stand out as to why Dell earned the right to remain the backup this season. Both games resulted in losses, but Dell’s play in net gave the Sharks an opportunity to steal a win.

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At Philly, his position became secured after earning a point in a 2-1 overtime loss. The Sharks were lackluster at best against the Flyers, but Dell stood tall to help gain a crucial point for his team.

If Dell had shown signs of not being able to handle the backup duties, a trade for a reliable backup would have resulted. However, this year’s market lacked viable candidates — unlike last season when the Sharks acquired James Reimer.

The load was less burdening on Jones which helped to deliver strong goaltending to lift the Sharks into the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time.

Now, with Dell the undisputed backup for the rest of the season, he will likely see more action to allow Jones to rest as he readies for another playoff run. No doubt, Dell deserves more starts as he has played brilliantly between the pipes.

The only question facing Jones will be fatigue before the playoffs. Jones, however, will not feel the pressure, knowing Dell can handle the backup duties.

An undrafted free agent out of North Dakota, Dell’s emergence began late last season with the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL. After taking over the starting position in net, he helped the Barracuda make a final push into the playoffs. His performance carried over into Sharks’ training camp this season where he rightfully earned the backup job.

Chances the Sharks made a trade for a backup goaltender seemed unlikely, since the price would have been too high. Prospects currently with the Barracuda have gone on a tear that has vaulted the team to the top of the AHL standings.

With a promising future, ahead, general manager Doug Wilson was unlikely going to gamble the future away as he’s seemed to do in season’s past.

One area of need was addressed before the deadline, with the acquisition of Jannik Hansen from the Vancouver Canucks. The offense has been spotty at times this season, and Hansen will look to provide consistency offensively. Prospect

Prospect Nikolay Goldobin went to the Canucks in the trade. Goldobin was surpassed on the prospect depth chart as he is still learning to play both ends of the ice. Despite having a great season with the Barracuda, he will now have an opportunity to show his worth in the NHL as the Canucks are in desperate need of offense.

Next: San Jose Sharks Acquire Jannik Hansen from Vancouver

All the pieces are in place for the Sharks to hopefully get the job done this time around. Dell has been given a vote confidence amongst coaches and teammates and will look to continue in providing solid goaltending. His presence will be felt as the stretch run begins with the trade deadline in the rearview mirror.

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San Jose Sharks Make Right Call With Aaron Dell

By Andrew Bet | Mar 3, 2017

The San Jose Sharks, in keeping backup goalie Aaron Dell, have proved an old adage true — sometimes, the best move to make is to not make a move at all.