Which Goalie Will Get Traded? What’ll Be Sticking Point of Barabanov Contract Talks?

Check out my “Sharks Pregame Live” hit!

Sheng Peng: James Reimer woke up Trade Deadline morning, turned on NHL Network, and found out that the San Jose Sharks had brought in another starting goalie.

That’s how Reimer found out that the Sharks had acquired Kaapo Kahkonen for Jake Middleton.

There’s an interesting situation between the pipes for San Jose – they have three starting-caliber goalies in Reimer, Kahkonen, and Adin Hill. And they’re all under team control next year.

Temporarily, it’s no big deal. Hill is hurt and there’s not much season left.

But by the start of next season, the San Jose Sharks will have to move one of these goalies.

My guess is Reimer or Kahkonen move – they have more trade value than Hill right now.

But Reimer told us today that he wants to stay.

Nick Bonino and Matt Nieto were also on the block yesterday.

A source told San Jose Hockey Now that both, under contract next year, were dangled; Joe Will says he took calls on Bonino.

Both Bonino and Nieto are signed for next year, but there’s a question about whether the Sharks see them in their plans next year.

There’s also some question as to whether Bonino would want to stay in San Jose.

He pointed out to us that he had never missed the playoffs really in his NHL career – would he have welcomed being moved, like his buddy Andrew Cogliano, to a contender?

But the two-time Stanley Cup champ said he wants to be in San Jose next year.

Another guy in question is pending UFA Alexander Barabanov.

Joe Will said yesterday that he had initiated contract talks with Barabanov’s camp.

We’ll see where that goes – San Jose Hockey Now had previously heard that there hadn’t been much in way of a conversation. I think they’re early in their conversation.

My guess is that’s it going to be two or three years for a contract, but I think the AAV will be hotly contested.

There’s a league-wide perception that Barabanov is not a true top-six forward. That’s he’s benefited from getting a lot of playing time because the San Jose Sharks’ forward corps is shallow.

If the Sharks think that too? That’s going to be a sticking point in negotiations.