Sharks coach Todd McLellan said Monday that Niemi and Alex Stalock will both receive long looks in the preseason as he aims to settle on a No. 1 goaltender heading into the Oct. 8 opener, NHL.com reports.

Sharks coach Todd McLellan said Monday that Niemi and Alex Stalock will both receive long looks in the preseason as he aims to settle on a No. 1 goaltender heading into the Oct. 8 opener, NHL.com reports.

Analysis:

Niemi has been the unquestioned No. 1 for the Sharks since joining the Sharks prior to the 2010-11 season, but his grip on the gig loosened last season after he regressed to a 2.39 GAA and .913 save percentage over 64 starts. In the face of the 31-year-old's decline, Stalock took a huge step forward, going 12-5-2 with a 1.87 GAA, a performance that earned him more frequent starts down the stretch for the Sharks. Niemi's longer track record of success as well as his larger contract probably gives him the inside edge on claiming the gig, but he'll still need to play soundly in training camp before McLellan anoints him as the team's No. 1.