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Nabokov, Toskala still vying for Sharks' top goalie job

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09/16/2006 -

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -Vesa Toskala spent most of the offseason on his new boat, peacefully cruising the Nordic lakes during Finland's most beautiful summer in 20 years.

The goaltender then returned to his day job this week in San Jose, where the situation isn't nearly as idyllic.

After leading the Sharks into the playoffs last season during the first sustained playing time of his NHL career, Toskala is back in competition with veteran incumbent Evgeni Nabokov for the starting job in San Jose.

The situation would be even more uncomfortable if the two goalies weren't longtime friends. But Toskala and Nabokov both feel they deserve to be the Sharks' starter - and unless general manager Doug Wilson swings a trade, one will be unhappy when the regular season begins next month.

``Everybody playing in this league wants to be a No. 1 goalie,'' Toskala said. ``There are lots of rumors flying around, but it's not in my control what's going to happen. I'm happy to be a Shark, and I hope I stay here.''

So does Nabokov, who has been steadily outstanding since winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2001. After signing a four-year, $21.5 million contract extension last February, Nabokov figured he had a long-term future in San Jose - but when he struggled after returning from the Olympics, Toskala seized the job with three remarkable months of play.

``It's always a competition,'' Nabokov said. ``If you don't have competition, it's trouble. It's never going to be a free ride in this league. I don't pay attention to what the rumors are. Doug will do whatever he needs to do, and I'll keep playing.''

Wilson has been understandably coy about his plans to clear this logjam. Ottawa and Detroit were among the clubs who spoke to Wilson about deals for either goalie, but Wilson didn't pull the trigger during the summer - and now he'll probably have to wait until another team's goalie gets hurt or struggles.

``I've always said it's a great problem to have,'' Wilson said on the Sharks' first day of training camp. ``We're just zeroed in on not having too many distractions. They're very professional, and we'll go from there. We have such great depth, which very few teams have.''

The Sharks' decision also affects Nolan Schaefer, the next goalie in the Sharks' seemingly inexhaustible pipeline. Schaefer, a Saskatchewan native, won five straight games for San Jose last season in limited action, and seems ready to be a full-time backup.

Nabokov starred for Russia at the Olympics after signing his extension with San Jose - but Toskala also got a new two-year, $2.75 million contract in February. When Nabokov got hurt in his return from Turin, Toskala seized the starting job with a 17-2-2 run while San Jose chased a playoff spot.

``That was the first time I really proved that I can play every day,'' said Toskala, who finished ninth in the NHL with a 2.56 goals-against average. ``Of course it built my confidence.''

The Sharks are no strangers to this dilemma, thanks to their remarkable record of developing goalies under coach Warren Strelow, who is back in Sharks camp this fall after health problems kept him confined to his home in Minnesota last season.

Three years ago, Wilson traded Nabokov's backup, Miikka Kiprusoff, even though he knew he was dealing a likely superstar-in-waiting. Kiprusoff then led the Calgary Flames past San Jose in the 2004 Western Conference finals before winning last season's Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender.

Wilson had faith in Nabokov - and he also knew Toskala, drafted one round ahead of Kiprusoff in 1995, had the makings of another starter.

``Me and Vesa, we always have a great time together,'' Nabokov said. ``We always understand that whatever is happening on the ice, it can't affect what's happening off the ice. We're still going to be friends.''

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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