Category: San Jose Sharks

Sharks vs Coyotes 160320

Coyotes come to town, hoping to get more points after being shut out 0-2 by the Lightning.

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Former Sharks on opponent: Corey Schwab, prospect goaltending coach

The Sharks came together in Vlasic’s absence, to contain the Rangers (only former Shark Dan Boyle managed to get a puck past Jones — on the PP). And chased Lundqvist out of the net.  Final score: 4-1 Sharks.  Marleau skated in his 1,400th game — the youngest player to ever do so; the 9th to do so with a single franchise, the 30th in NHL history.  And with more points, Thornton climbs the all-time scoring list.  Wingels was inserted into the lineup for Nieto (out 3-4 weeks with a broken knuckle).  DeMelo was recalled and in as well.  Donskoi made an AWESOME no look pass to Ward who started the scoring against the Rangers.

After winning the game over the Sharks Thursday on a late goal from Doan, the Coyotes were shut out by the Lightning behind Domingue.  Smith starting in nets for Arizona on Sunday.

Sunday, the lineup doesn’t change for the Sharks, except that Reimer will be in nets.

Sharks vs Rangers 160319

Sharks open one of longest home stands of season against Rangers

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Former Sharks on opponent: Dominic Moore, Dan Boyle; Adam Graves, Hockey & Business Operations

The luck was not with the Sharks Thursday.  Nieto and Vlasic left the game with injuries.  Sharks gave up the GWG late in the third.  Sharks had two goals disallowed – one on coach’s challenge (offside) and one for kicking motion. Their challenge (offside) was unsuccessful.

The Rangers are finishing up their California swing.  They faced the Ducks on Wednesday (2-1 win), the Kings on Thursday (3-4 OT loss), and finish at the Sharks on Saturday in a matinee tilt.

Sharks have the day off on Friday.  Starting goalie and update on the injured may not come until late morning on Saturday.

Sharks @ Coyotes 160317

May the luck of the Irish smile on the Sharks in the desert

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Former Sharks on opponent: Corey Schwab, prospect goaltending coach

Sharks hit the road after a big come from behind win over the Bruins Tuesday.  First time they’ve won a game in which they’ve allowed a short handed goal in months.

Now to face Arizona.  Arizona is without their top defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (shoulder), and Mike Smith returns to the lineup.  Lindback and Vitale are also out.

Impact of potential expansion draft on Sharks

The General Managers sat down this week and came up with some basic rules for a potential expansion draft. The final rules still need to be negotiated with the NHLPA, so things are not yet fully determined.  One remaining question is whether No Trade and No Movement contracts must be protected (a player could waive his NTC/NMC to allow him to be exposed).

Teams will be able to protect 7 forwards, 3 defensemen and a goalie; or 8 skaters (any position) and a goalie. And they have to expose salaries equivalent to 25% minimum of cap hit.

Exemptions for the expansion draft are not the same group as waiver exemptions.  The groups exempt are unsigned draftees from the last two years (so even college kids drafted over two years ago would be exposed), and first and second year “pro” players.

Let’s start with those players exempt from the expansion draft:

  • Unsigned draftees from 2015 (G Mike Robinson, D Karlis Cukste, L Rudolfs Balcers, D Adam Parsells, C Marcus Vela, G John Kupsky) and 2016 (TBD)
  • First and second year “pro” players (IOW, rookies in 2015-16 and 2016-17); unclear if this includes players with European “pro” experience.
    • 2015-16 rookies (including AHL): Rumpel; Bergman, Cundari, McNally, Pinkston, Ryan; Arseneau, Aviani, Crane, Donskoi, Doremus, Emmanuelson, Gallant, Goldobin, Jevpalovs (assuming any RFAs are re-signed)
    • Projected 2016-17 rookies: Fitzgerald, Roy; Chartier, Helewka, Labanc, J Martin, Meier, Schoenborn (plus any further signees)

Now the Sharks have historically (see 2000 expansion draft when Lombardi made trades to protect exposed goalie) made a “Future Considerations” trade to expansion draft teams to protect 1-2 more players that have to be exposed (usually from among players exempt from the draft).

Protected list, my guess:

Goalie: Jones

Defense: Vlasic (NTC), Burns, Martin

Forwards: Pavelski (NTC), Thornton (NMC), Marleau (NMC), Couture (NTC), Ward (NTC), Hertl; and perhaps Karlsson.

(Note – players with expiring contracts could be acquired as UFAs, if not re-signed)

Sharks vs Bruins 160316

Sharks next face off against the leader of the Atlantic: Boston Bruins

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Former Sharks on opponent: John Ferguson, Executive Director of Player Personnel

Sharks played (arguably) their best game of the season against the Capitals. The Sharks took the lead in the first, got into penalty trouble in the 2nd (Caps opened it scoring a 5-on-3 PPG 81 seconds in), but kept it tied (2-2) at the end of 40 minutes.  The Sharks shut it down in the 3rd, scored three goals, and only allowed the Caps four shots. Ovechkin was limited to 2 SOG.

Boston flew to San Jose after beating the Islanders 3-1 on Saturday.  They are starting a four-game road trip against the three California teams before heading to NYC to face the Rangers before they return to their friendly confines of the TD Boston Garden. On Monday they recalled F Vatrano (emergency); and the rest of the AHL rejoices.

Reimer is scheduled to start for the Sharks. Wingels sounds ready to get back in the lineup, but DeBoer is reluctant to make a change after Saturday’s win.

Sharks vs Capitals 160312

Saturday night hockey, against the best team in the league

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Former Sharks on opponent: Daniel Winnik; Matt Bradley, scout

Sharks had terrible problems with the puck/ice, not helped by the Devils who swarmed the home guys every time the puck was in the offensive end. Sharks lose 0-3.

Meanwhile, the Caps seem to be steam rolling through the league with the best record.  They lost in OT to the Kings on Wednesday. And do have something special to play for tonight:

They’ve set a record for twelve consecutive one-goal games. While in LA, Ovi had a dinner date with the Great One.  Caps’ Mike Richards talks about the encouragement he’s received through his career from DeBoer.

If we go with the every-other-game platooning of goalies, that means Reimer’s up.  Tennyson out.  Wingels questionable.

Sharks vs Devils 160310

Back home after sweeping through Albert. Devils are up.

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Former Sharks on opponent: Ryane Clowe (LTIR), Tyler Kennedy; Chris Terreri, goaltending coach; Patrick Rissmiller, development coach

In his second start, Reimer got his first shutout of the season for the Sharks.   Couture (2) and Pavelski provided the offense needed for the win. The Oilers did not seem able to match the Sharks speed or physicality (unless sucker punching an unsuspecting player – see Nurse on Polak; DoPS hearing for incident Thursday morning).

Devils are kinda playing out the season, being 6 points out of a wild card spot.  #1 goalie Corey Schneider is out with a knee issue. Cammalleri, Elias and Josefson are staying in New Jersey, rather than travel to California. Sislo and Helgeson have been recalled to provide depth/healthy bodies. Lines are being tweaked due to personnel changes.

I’m expecting Jones to be back in the net tonight.

Sharks @ Oilers 160308

The trip continues in Alberta. Next up: the Oilers.

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Former Sharks on opponent: Todd McLellan, head coach (and staff)

Jones was nearly perfect (new career high of 47 saves), 3rd Star of the Week Burns had a Gordie Howe hat trick; and Pavelski got his 30th goal of the season, and his first regular season over time goal, as the winner.

On to Edmonton.  The Oilers fans may be more likely to play the fan-created draft lottery  simulator, or dream of outdoor glory, than watch a hockey game with a number of players on the shelf.

Reimer is the likely starter for the Sharks, in this back-to-back situation.  Unlikely there will be a morning skate.  Karlsson returned to the line up last night (Haley sat); Wingels and Tennyson probably still out.

Sharks @ Flames 160307

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Former Sharks on opponent: none

Sharks are coming off a home loss to the Canucks.  They just seemed to be off kilter, so the Reimer took the loss (but it cannot be blamed just on him).

Flames are returning home after a four-game road trip, finally snapping a seven-game losing streak, and Ortio’s first win of the season, on their final outing. 2nd to last in the conference, the team is looking at the future moreso than the present. Pundits are worried about how the team can stop Thornton and Burns from making an impact.

Jones starting.

Sharks vs Canucks 160305

Deja vu. Vancouver is the opponent again. But this time with Reimer defending the net.

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Former Sharks on opponent: none

Sharks were down 0-2, but scored one in 2nd, and two in 3rd to win from behind, again!

And two days later the two teams face off in a different venue: SAP Center.

Reimer has been announced as the starter for the Sharks.  Wingels is out; Tennyson out.