NHL Trade Rumors: Market For Goalies To Be Active?

Antti Niemi – San Jose Sharks

Feb 5, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks goaltender

(31) awaits start of the play against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

This is without question the most interesting name in the unrestricted free agent market when it comes to goaltenders for several reasons.  Niemi is the most accomplished goalie looking for a contract next season, having won a Stanley Cup during his Chicago Blackhawks tenure.  Coming off of a deal with an average cap hit of $3.8 million per year and still young at age 31, Niemi is likely to expect another sizable deal and considering the success of the Sharks (regular season, anyway) he wouldn’t be out of line to expect a raise.  But San Jose seems very high on Alex Stalock and the time could be coming to make a switch.  All of this against the backdrop of being two points ahead of 8th place in the Western Conference.  San Jose wouldn’t make this move and ride Stalock into the playoffs, would they?  There is plenty of reason to doubt they will trade Niemi.  After their stunning collapse to the Los Angeles Kings last year there was talk of big changes, but they never materialized.  The time was then, not now.  However if they don’t consider it they are at serious risk to lose him for nothing and that would set the franchise back a step or two.  Niemi likely carries too high of a price tag for the Rangers to meet considering he would only be a rental.  Expect the Broadway blue shirts to look elsewhere.

Ray Emery – Philadelphia Flyers

Jan 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie

(29) covers the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing

(14) during the first period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Ray Emery could have been as good as traded until Steve Mason hurt himself…skating?  Bending over?  I have no idea how Mason got hurt but you can’t help but feel for a guy that goes down with a non-contact injury because that’s usually a terrible sign.  Now Emery’s name is removed from the NHL trade rumors and placed firmly into the Flyers goal crease.  Combine that with the apparent lack of prospects in the pipes for Philly and losing Emery will create a headache to the point where GM Ron Hextall could legitimately be the best option next year.  Emery has had solid playoffs runs and that experience would be valuable on a young team looking for extra stability and a locker room presence.  He would also be a good fit on a serious playoff contender looking to bring in a capable second option.  Calgary and St. Louis, respectively, I’m talking to both of you.  St. Louis could be gun-shy after acquiring Ryan Miller last year and letting him walk but Emery wouldn’t cost nearly as much as Miller did.  In Calgary Emery would provide extra playoff support behind Jonas Hiller.  Which would leave Kari Ramo out in the cold but make the Flames more stable in net for a possible playoff run.

Next: Sabres Have Multiple Goaltenders Available