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The San Jose Sharks are looking for more goaltending opportunities.
That’s according to Elliotte Friedman in his latest 32 thoughts: As part of reshaping its franchise, San Jose is asking about goaltending prospects. They selected OHL Sarnias Benjamin Gaudreau 81st overall in 2021. He was an alternate to Canada’s recent World Junior gold medalists, but the Sharks are looking to add depth.
The insider also had some interesting thoughts on both Timo Meier and Erik Karlsson in his informative familiar manner.
It’s worth noting that Friedman didn’t link the goaltender to the San Jose Sharks in a potential Meier trade. There are only a handful of top netminding opportunities out there and they may not be available.
Either way, it makes sense for GM Mike Grier to keep the future of the goaltending organization in mind, as the Sharks’ goalie of the future is far from clear, even next season.
Up top, the San Jose Sharks have struggled in net numbers and are 31st in the NHL in save percentage. 34-year-old James Reimer is a UFA, there are trade rumors surrounding him, while Kaapo Kahkonen, the successor signed for next season, has not taken over the reins in goal.
In the AHL, 23-year-old Eetu Makiniemi, acquired by Grier in the Brent Burns trade, has been a capable 1A, while Strauss Mann has bounced between the San Jose Barracuda and ECHL affiliate Wichita Thunder, but currently they are not. are considered high hopes.
The jury is out on college and junior prospects Gaudreau, Mason Beaupit and Magnus Chrona. 2018 sixth-rounder Zachary Emond is also in the system, but his entry-level contract expires after this year and he only appeared for the Thunder this season. See if the Sharks sign University of Denver starter Chrona to an NHL contract.
Of all the goalies in the system, only Makiniemi and 2022 fourth-rounder Beaupit were signed to guard the Griers.
So it makes sense that the goaltending pipeline is just the next area the new San Jose Sharks administration might look to dig into.
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