News: The Sharks reassigned Alex Stalock to AHL Worcester on Monday, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.
Analysis: During his stint with the Sharks, Alex Stalock came in twice to relieve starter Antti Niemi, and allowed two goals on 13 shots. He'll return to Worcester where he has a .917 save percentage this season.
News:Alex Stalock saw his second NHL action of the season Saturday, and just like the first time, he was a mid-game insertion when starter Antti Niemi got pulled for ineffectiveness. Stalock entered Saturday's game against Los Angeles in the second period with the Sharks already down 4-1. He allowed one goal on six shots the rest of the way, but San Jose never recovered from the deficit.
Analysis:Alex Stalock is going to be a backup for a while -- shaky start or no, Niemi is the established No. 1 netminder.
News:Alex Stalock was pressed into action in the third period Saturday after starter Antti Niemi allowed two goals in an 80-second span. Stalock stopped six of seven shots, surrendering one in overtime to get saddled with the loss.
Analysis: At least it wasn't Alex Stalock's first NHL game -- the poor guy took a loss that wasn't his. Stalock is a great talent and an even better story -- he managed a return from a severed peroneal nerve in his leg to resume his hockey career.
News:Alex Stalock was recalled by the Sharks on Saturday, CSN Bay Area's Kevin Kurz reports.
Analysis: Thomas Greiss is day-to-day with a neck injury, and Alex Stalock will back up Antti Niemi on Saturday if Greiss can't play. Stalock could be headed back to the minors soon.
News:Alex Stalock (knee) has been assigned to AHL Worcester, csnbayarea.com reports.
Analysis:Alex Stalock, who is recovering from a severed peroneal nerve that he sustained while playing for Worcester last year, makes the next step in his recovery, as he was recently able to compile a 5-1-0 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in six games with ECHL Stockton.
News:Alex Stalock (leg) is progressing and facing shots in practice, David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis:Alex Stalock is still recovering from a severed peroneal nerve which was originally supposed to sideline him until February of 2012. Given the uncertainty of the recovery from this type of injury he should be avoided until he can prove he is 100 percent.
News:Alex Stalock is still recovering from a lacerated leg injury that he sustained last February and there remains no timetable for his return, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Apparently Alex Stalock, who was cut by an opponent's skate in an AHL game, is making progress in some areas."Physically, the movement and strength is ahead of schedule," he said. "Skating, that's going to be a different story. I hope I'm not stuck like this until February because that's what they first said ...." Stalock is one of the top goalie prospects in the Sharks system, but he will require patience in the fantasy realm until his health is restored and he builds up more NHL experience.
Sharks' Prospect Stalock: No On-Ice Activity Until 2012
News: Stalock (leg laceration) will not resume on-ice activity until February 14, 2012 at the earliest, reports the Duluth News Tribune.
Analysis: That's exactly one year from the date of his surgery at the Mayo Clinic to repair a severed peroneal nerve at the back of left knee. The peroneal nerve allows you to lift your foot and toes, and damage to it can cause foot drop. Stalock is staying positive but admitted that "Walking was a big day for me. That was a big step." He's working hard to return but the odds are stacked against him. According to the NYU School of Medicine's Department of Neurosurgery, "Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, the peroneal nerve has a poor chance of recovery, with or without surgery." We wish him well but very practically advise keeper leaguers to drop him until he shows a 100 percent recovery. Remember Dan Blackburn?
News: Stalock (leg) has agreed to a one-year deal with the Sharks, according to the team's official site.
Analysis: Selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Stalock is arguably the top goalie prospect in the Sharks' organization. The Minnesota native posted consecutive AHL seasons with a 2.63 goals-against average between 2009-11. He also came up with a victory in his NHL debut in 2010-11, but unfortunately sustained a leg laceration during a minor-league game in February which has made him an early question mark for the start of training camp.
News: Stalock, who sustained a leg laceration in an AHL game on February 4, might not be ready to join the Sharks for the start of training camp in September, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: "We assume he'll be back 100 percent, but I don't know when," GM Doug Wilson said of Stalock. "He's healing. It was a very serious injury. We sent him to the Mayo Clinic to have the surgery he needed. With that type of injury, I'm going to assume it's going to be longer than shorter (recovery time) and we want him to heal." The report notes that Stalock -- who posted a 19-17-4 record in 41 games with AHL Worcester last season -- is one of seven Sharks eligible to become a restricted free agent.
News: Stalock will require surgery to repair nerve damage to the back of his left knee, effectively ending his season, the Duluth News Tribune reports.
Analysis: The injury occurred when Stalock, a goalie prospect for the Sharks, was accidentally stepped on in a minor league game stopping pucks for the Worcester Sharks. "I've heard from so many people the last few days and it's nice so many people are interested. What happened is what happens in sports. It's hockey," said Stalock. "I don't know a timetable yet for my recovery, but it will be a matter of how hard I push myself to come back. I'd like to come back and be right where I was." Stalock's 2010-11 campaign comes to an end with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage in 41 games in the AHL. He also won his NHL debut on Feb. 1, having stopped all nine shots he faced in relief of Antti Niemi and against the Coyotes.
News: According to Sharks GM Doug Wilson, Stalock is dealing with a serious cut that will keep him out "for an extended period of time," the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Stalock was widely considered the top backup option from the minors with goalie Antero Niittymaki dealing with a lingering groin injury. But now there is speculation from the Mercury News that either Tyson Sexsmith or Carter Hutton could be called up from AHL Worcester if Niittymaki is unable to suit up for the Sharks' tilt against the Capitals on Tuesday.
News: Stalock was injured during the third period of Worcester's 4-3 shootout victory over Manchester on Friday, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: The unspecified injury reportedly occurred during a scrum in front of Stalock's net. No other details have been released, but it looks like he will not be available to back up Antti Niemi against the Bruins on Saturday afternoon. With the Sharks' regular backup Antero Niittymaki (groin) also on the shelf, it looks like the team will have to dig deep in order to come up with a backup for Niemi. Consider Stalock day-to-day for now.
News: Stalock is likely to return to the Sharks with Friday's news that Antero Niittymaki re-tweaked his groin in the morning practice, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Stalock was said to be bound for AHL Worcester, though that is unlikely to happen now that Niittymaki has experienced a setback in his recovery from a groin injury. Antti Niemi has started all five games for the Sharks with Niittymaki on the mend, but Stalock did earn a win on Feb. 1 in relief of a struggling Niemi. The Sharks face the Bruins on the road Saturday afternoon.
News: Stalock will back up Antti Niemi on Wednesday against the Ducks, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Stalock stopped all nine shots he faced before capturing a win over Phoenix in his NHL debut just one day ago. The Sharks are expected to get experienced netminder Antero Niittymaki back from injury soon, but it appears that Stalock has established himself as the third option in the goalie pecking order for San Jose.
Sharks' Stalock Picks Up First NHL Win In Relief Tuesday
News: Stalock made his NHL debut Tuesday night when he replaced the pulled Antti Niemi and stopped all nine shots he faced to pick up his first NHL win.
Analysis: Despite the nice outing in his debut, Stalock is expected to see very little playing time while serving as the backup to Niemi while Antero Niittymaki continues to sit with a groin injury. Niittymaki appears close to a return.
News: Stalock has been called up by the Sharks, the team's official site reports.
Analysis: With J.P. Anderson going back to the OHL, Stalock will serve as the backup to Antti Niemi while Antero Niittymaki is on IR with a groin injury.
News: Stalock is dealing with an apparent "health issue" that could keep him from serving as the backup goalie behind Antti Niemi for the Sharks, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: A backup netminder is needed because Antero Niittymaki, one half of the Finnish tender tandem, sustained a groin injury and has been placed on injured reserve. According to the Sharks' official site, the team has recalled J.P. Anderson from the OHL, presumably to serve as the backup instead of Stalock, who likely would have been the favorite for the job if health was not an issue. In 36 games with AHL Worcester, Stalock has a record of 17-16-3 with a .910 save percentage and a 2.55 goals-against average.
News: Stalock will continue his development with Worcester of the AHL this season, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: This was expected as the Sharks suddenly have depth at goal with the late offseason addition of Antti Niemi. Last year, Stalock sported a 39-19-2 record, 2.63 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage in the minors. Consider putting him in the back of your mind as a keeper option for future fantasy seasons.
