Sheng Peng
This might be why the San Jose Sharks haven’t traded a goalie yet.
The Sharks’ asking price for James Reimer is a second-round pick, according to a source.
Earlier this week, San Jose Hockey Now reported of Reimer, “there was interest from another team last month in the veteran netminder. But the San Jose Sharks and this team couldn’t find common ground for a deal to be struck. That team has since moved on.”
By the way, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the Sharks are actively shopping Reimer. In early July, Elliotte Friedman suggested that San Jose was leaning toward keeping Reimer.
But it’s also possible that the Sharks just haven’t got the right offer yet. And San Jose obviously has a logjam in the crease between Reimer, Kakko Kahkonen, and Adin Hill. Something’s gotta give.
Reimer has one year left on his contract with a $2.25 million dollar AAV. The 34-year-old also has a five-team no-trade list.
San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier has good reason to hold out for a high pick for Reimer. The veteran stabilized San Jose’s net last season, leading the team with 19 wins and a +5.84 Goals Saved Above Expected, per Evolving Hockey. He’s also considered a very positive locker room presence.
There’s clear precedent too. On Jul. 28, 2021, the first day of free agency last year, there were three instructive goalie trades.
The Colorado Avalanche acquired Darcy Kuemper from the Arizona Coyotes for Conor Timmins, a 2022 first-round pick, and a conditional 2024 third-round pick. The Coyotes also retained $1 million of Kuemper’s $4.5 million AAV.
What was Kuemper then? Kuemper was a bona fide No. 1, worthy of a first.
The Washington Capitals re-acquired Vitek Vanecek from the Seattle Kraken for a 2023 second-round pick. Seattle had selected Vanecek in the expansion draft.
What was Vanecek? Vanecek was considered a 1A/1B goalie, a platoon starter.
The Calgary Flames acquired Daniel Vladar from the Boston Bruins for a 2022 third-round pick.
What was Vladar? The Flames were tabbing him to be their back-up behind clear-cut No. 1 Jacob Markstrom.
So who’s Reimer closer too, Kuemper, Vanecek, or Vladar? League-wide, Reimer is not considered an undisputed No. 1 in the vein of Kuemper or Markstrom – but he’s also too good to be your run-of-the-mill back-up.
Of course, all these deals were struck on the first day of free agency, and we’re one month past that this off-season. Most teams have sorted out their goaltending situations.
But could a desperate team – come on down, Vegas Golden Knights! – finally meet the San Jose Sharks’ price?