This game is ugly!! Looks like Spooner's been in on all 5 goals? Is there a mercy rule in these games?
The Russian team might be wearing down a bit. They do carry a decent sized roster and can work in Russian players from the league they're playing against, but this is their 3rd game in 5 days playing with a decent # of the same players while travelling across the country (Quebec City to Ottawa to Sault Ste Marie) while the host teams generally have a good amount of turnover between games and each league only has to play a pair of games.
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The Russian team might be wearing down a bit. They do carry a decent sized roster and can work in Russian players from the league they're playing against, but this is their 3rd game in 5 days playing with a decent # of the same players while travelling across the country (Quebec City to Ottawa to Sault Ste Marie) while the host teams generally have a good amount of turnover between games and each league only has to play a pair of games.
No doubt they're probably tired, but that was a really bad period of hockey from them.
EDIT: and he just gave up the first Russian goal tonight. Bad clearing attempt by the OHL d-man, then a loooong shot from the blueline that deflected off a defender's arm and in.
I'm really not at all surprised how well he's playing in the ECHL.
The Sharks are going to have a serious goalie problem to deal with between December (Niitty coming back) and February (Stalock's return)...too many good goalies and not enough places for them to play.
I'm really not at all surprised how well he's playing in the ECHL.
The Sharks are going to have a serious goalie problem to deal with between December (Niitty coming back) and February (Stalock's return)...too many good goalies and not enough places for them to play.
I think the Greiss/Niitty situation is going to end up with one of them being traded (even if just for a bag of pucks), and despite being ahead of schedule I'm not sold on Stalock playing this season yet.
I think they'll end up keeping all three through this season and let Niittymaki walk. I also expect Columbus to address their goaltending well before Niittymaki is healthy enough to potentially force the Sharks' hands.
I think Columbus probably wants a veteran presence to go along with Mason...it's too bad Niitty is still a month away from being ready because I do think they should be interested in him, but I doubt they'll be waiting that long to fix their goaltending (should Mason continue to struggle).
I think they'll end up keeping all three through this season and let Niittymaki walk. I also expect Columbus to address their goaltending well before Niittymaki is healthy enough to potentially force the Sharks' hands.
My guess is if the Sharks have no plans on using Niitty they will try and do right by him and get him to a place where he can play...appearances are important in attracting free agents and holding on to a guy you don't need for no real reason is bad for future business
My guess is if the Sharks have no plans on using Niitty they will try and do right by him and get him to a place where he can play...appearances are important in attracting free agents and holding on to a guy you don't need for no real reason is bad for future business
I think that they actually plan on him being the #2 when he gets back.
I think that they actually plan on him being the #2 when he gets back.
I doubt it. They have Greiss for this year and next, he's played well, he costs less, and he's more reliable health wise. If they can move Niitty they will, or waive him as a last resort.
DW is not going to let 2m in salary just go to waste on a 3rd goalie when the team needs 3rd/4th line help. It's clear they see Niemi as their playoff goalie anyway.
Vermette is tough to afford sadly, I couldn't really make it work Spin.
Why do they need to do anything with him? He's signed through next year and Niittymaki is an injury liability. I doubt there's any market for either goalie and especially for Niittymaki. There's nothing wrong with carrying three goalies since they don't have to worry about the cap.
I doubt it. They have Greiss for this year and next, he's played well, he costs less, and he's more reliable health wise. If they can move Niitty they will, or waive him as a last resort.
DW is not going to let 2m in salary just go to waste on a 3rd goalie when the team needs 3rd/4th line help. It's clear they see Niemi as their playoff goalie anyway.
Vermette is tough to afford sadly, I couldn't really make it work Spin.
That's exactly why Niittymaki will be the #2 and Greiss won't. There is no market for a 2 million dollar goalie who can't stay healthy. There are many options out there for good goalies or healthy goalies or cheap goalies. They may end up waiving him but nobody is going to claim him. They won't have much of a choice but to sit on that contract until it runs out.
Why do they need to do anything with him? He's signed through next year and Niittymaki is an injury liability. I doubt there's any market for either goalie and especially for Niittymaki. There's nothing wrong with carrying three goalies since they don't have to worry about the cap.
"Nothing wrong" is completely wrong.
Do you really want a player around that knows he has no chance of playing at all? And how exactly do you hold a practice with three goalies?
