Tag: NHL

Sharks Reduce Training Camp to 27

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By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks have reduced their training camp roster to 27 players, they announced Monday.

Timo Meier, the Sharks’ first round pick in the most recent draft, was assigned to his junior club, the Halifax Mooseheads. In the Sharks press release, Peter DeBoer said:

“Timo had an impressive camp. He showed everyone why we selected him where we did,” said Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer. “He has a nice blend of power, speed and skill and he has a really bright future.”

San Jose Barracuda camp starts today. The Sharks assigned nine players to the new AHL club on Monday. The forwards are: John McCarthy, Bryan Lerg, Micheal Haley and Ryan Carpenter. The defensemen are: Mark Cundari, Karl Stollery and Gus Young. The goalies are Troy Grosenick and Aaron Dell.

The moves leave Al Stalock and Martin Jones as the goaltenders the Sharks will start the season with.

The Sharks also put forward Frazer McLaren on waivers. His status will be determined after the waiver period expires.

Competition Too Close to Call for Sharks Blue Line

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By Mary Walsh

The preseason is well under way, and the NHL season looms large for the San Jose Sharks. Their training camp roster is still long enough to easily ice two squads, so it is reasonable to expect that there will be more roster cuts this week. The Sharks have a lot of decisions to make before opening night, DeBoer explained:

Some tough decisions, some really tough decisions. It’s tough getting from 34 to 26 or -7 or whatever number we’re going to go to, and it’s going to be even tougher to go down to 22 or 23. That’s a good thing though, it’s a good problem.

Dylan DeMelo stood out as one of the young players getting a lot of ice time in preseason games. There is a little room on the Sharks blue line, and a number of players competing for it. Asked to comment on that competition, DeMelo said: “I can’t speak for the other guys but I think I’m playing pretty well and I think I’m showing kind of what’s advertised in my game.”

After the game, Sharks coach Peter DeBoer was asked if Dylan DeMelo was likely to make the opening night roster. DeBoer declined to say yes or no:

I’m not prepared to hand this job to anybody yet. Everybody’s competing, everyone’s playing well right now. It’s too close to call to be giving anybody the job right now. We’re going to take all the time we have on our side.

DeBoer did concede that DeMelo is “right in the mix,” with other defensemen. As with other players seeing a lot of preseason ice time, DeMelo is no lock for a spot on the NHL roster.

Another player who is getting a long look in these games is Joonas Donskoi. Saturday, he played on a line with Tomas Hertl and Matt Nieto. Donskoi is probably closer to a spot than DeMelo is, but the fact that he is playing only means he’s getting look, not getting the job.

The Sharks lost Saturday’s preseason game to the Anaheim Ducks. The final score was 2-1, with goals scored by Joel Ward for San Jose, Corey Perry and Chris Wagner for Anaheim. The game was a fine preseason sample of games between San Jose and Anaheim: riddled with penalties, there was even a game misconduct handed out.

Martin Jones was starting his second of the preseason, and his first at SAP as a Shark. He was glad to have a chance to play at SAP during the preseason:

I’ve had a couple games here, playing in LA, so I know what the building’s about. Yeah, it was nice to get the first one out of the way at home. Obviously, not the result we want, but we’re working through it. It’s still preseason and we’ll work it out.

The Ducks took two penalties in the first eleven minutes of the game, one to Shea Theodore at 1:22 and one to Corey Perry at 11:07. The Sharks did not score on either one of those power plays, but seconds after the Perry penalty expired, the Sharks did score. The goal was scored by Joel Ward, with assists going to Paul Martin and Brent Burns.

The goal was a good example of Ward’s playing style, and the style that DeBoer is encouraging the Sharks to employ. Asked about the goal after the game, Ward said:

It’s no secret, I’m trying to get in front of the net. I think most of my goals in the past have been around that area. So there’s no secret I’m just trying to go to the net, trying to get pucks and rebounds.

Moments after the Sharks goal, Frazer McLaren was called for boarding. He was given a game misconduct and received a five minute major. Ryan Carpenter served the penalty for him. The hit sent Anaheim defenseman, Korbinian Holzer, to the dressing room. Holzer was kept out for the rest of the game for precautionary reasons, the Ducks announced later.

The Sharks killed off the five minutes and even managed a short-handed chance near the end.

It took the Sharks several minutes before they took a shot on goal in the second period. Through the period, the Sharks had six shots.

The Ducks tied the game just over three minutes into the third period. The goal was scored by Chris Wagner, unassisted. He skated into the zone mostly unfettered and took a shot from the half boards that seemed to catch Jones off guard.

Just past the ten minute mark of the third, Perry went to the box for the second time in the game, this time for high sticking.

Before the penalty elapsed, Joonas Donskoi went to the box for a high stick. The Ducks made the Sharks pay for that, taking the lead with a goal with 7:36 left. The power play goal was scored by Corey Perry. Assists went to Shea Theodore and Simon Despres.

The Ducks went right from the celebration to the penalty kill, with Shea Theodore back in the box for interference. This put the Sharks on their fourth power play.

That came to naught, and the game wound down. With under two minutes left, the Sharks pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker. Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl, Patrick Marleau and Paul Martin made up the six players for the last minutes. Hertl made a nice pass after pulling the puck from a scrum along the boards, but Couture’s shot went just wide. After a time out, the same six returned to the ice but they could not even the score.

The Sharks will play another preseason game at SAP on Tuesday, September 29. Their opponent will be the Vancouver Canucks. Start time will be 7:30 pm.

Sharks Ready for Restart

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By Mary Walsh

In the past, GM Doug Wilson has used the phrase “refresh, reset” instead of “rebuild” to describe what he was trying to do with the San Jose Sharks. Last year, “rebuild” creapt into the sound bites, but there were no standout changes to go with it. Now, with a new coaching staff and new players in key roles, the team faces something akin to an operating system upgrade.

As with an upgrade, many little glitches may just go away, while some handy shortcuts will have to be put back in place. For a while at least, the system will seem cleaner simpler than previously. How much reward the Sharks will reap from the changes will depend on some very familiar factors, from individual player performance to the mental resilience of the group. This is the conundrum that has faced the Sharks for years: they have been good enough to expect that they could do more, but they haven’t. New Head Coach Peter DeBoer has said he won’t tear everything down because there is a lot of good in the team and the way they do things. How much of that good can he salvage without also preserving the bugs and glitches?

One of the familiar questions is leadership. Tommy Wingels was asked about the captaincy issue on the first day of camp. He said:

I think it’s important that someone does wear the C. That being said, that guy’s not going to be the only guy that’s a leader on this team. One guy wears the C but we’ve said around here that this is a team of leaders. If you have one guy doing it all, you’re not going to be great.

The leadership question carries over from last season. That captainless experiment did not exactly devolve into mob rule, but it was far from a well-organized attack unit. That DeBoer plans to put letters on leaders may just be a band-aid but it is a hole that needs to be plugged. It is an obvious first step to bringing the team into a semblance of order. It is just the first of many changes that need to be made.

Joe Pavelski said that the changes to the team are palpable:

There’s a good energy in the room. When you walk into the building and you see the new hallway and the new locker room, it just adds that energy. Even when we were away in the summer and we added those pieces, there was an energy I could feel, excited to get back when I got back and see everybody and get on the ice. Like the signings we’ve had and the improvements and we’ll move forward from that and hopefully it will be positive.

The changes to the locker room decor are a strong visual signal: this is not the same as before. It was not a complete redesign, but changes in wall covering and paint colors are enough to make the room almost unrecognizable. It reminded me of the attention given to the dressing rooms at 49ers Stadium last year. Perhaps that experience drove home the importance of little things like color and texture, the effect they can have on the psyche. That particular game, played out of that particular room, may not be worth repeating, but the new look will be a daily reminder that this season is not last season or the one before that.

Ironically, a fresh start is what a team wants every season. In that regard, newness is not new. Tommy Wingels described the challenge of the clean slate goal:

I think that’s the mindset every player needs to have every year when training camp starts. I don’t think you can expect to be in a certain position based on the previous year. You got to re-earn it every single year, every practice, every exhibition game, into the start of the season. I think Pete has come in and made it clear that what you did in the past doesn’t matter, you’ve got to earn your opportunity this year.

Joe Thornton does not think it will take the team very long to adjust to the new systems under the new coach:

Hopefully just exhibition, hopefully Game One we’ll be ready to go. But who knows, I don’t think it’s going to take a long time to get used to his system. It’s relatively the same as Todd’s, but who knows? Hopefully the more we play games, get six or seven exhibition games under our belt, we’ll be ready to play his system.

This morning, who knows how long it will take? Once the Sharks play a couple of games, they will probably know.

The Sharks will play in Vancouver tonight, one of those exhibition games Thornton mentioned. If the changes are change enough, I would not expect a smooth performance right away. If they play well and win, great. If they play badly and lose, or even play badly and win, it could mean they are figuring out a new way of doing things. The only real failure possible would be if the team looks too much as they have always looked. Even then, they have a few more exhibition games to get their new act together.

Sharks Add Nabokov as Goaltending Coach, Camp Opens Friday

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By Mary Walsh

With training camp starting Friday, the Sharks formally added Evgeni Nabokov to their coaching roster, as goaltending development coach and special assignment scout. The Sharks have also signed defenseman Jeremy Roy to an entry level contract.

The addition of Nabokov to the coaching staff was not surprising, as he had already been spotted on the ice during prospect camp practices. Of the former Sharks goaltender, Sharks GM Doug Wilson said, in the team press release: “Nabby’s career speaks for itself and he is one of the most beloved players to ever play for our franchise,” said Wilson. He will be a tremendous asset to our young, developing goaltenders. I have great respect for him as a hockey person and as a man.”

The press release also summarized Nabokov’s playing career:

Nabokov finished his remarkable career ranked 18th on the NHL’s all-time wins list (353), 17th in shutouts (59) and 25th in games played by a goaltender (697). He appeared in 86 career Stanley Cup Playoff games (22nd all-time), and ranks 23rd all-time in postseason wins (42) and T-20th in postseason shutouts (7). He helped lead the Sharks to two of their three franchise Western Conference Final appearances (2004, 2010). In 697 career NHL games with San Jose, the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning, Nabokov posted a 353-227-29-71 record, with a 2.44 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and 59 shutouts.

Sunday, the Sharks announced that they had signed their 2015 2nd round pick, defenseman Jeremy Roy, to an entry level contract. Roy spent the past two seasons in the QMJHL, and represented Canada at the U-18 World Junior Championships last season. He recorded four points in that tournament, on the way to a bronze medal for his team.

On Friday, the Sharks training camp officially kicks off at Sharks Ice in San Jose. Group A will skate at 9:30, with Group B taking the ice at 11:45. The team is scheduled to skate again Saturday and Sunday at the same times. They will be in Vancouver for preseason games Monday and Tuesday.

SJ Barracuda Games to be Broadcast on AM 1220 KDOW

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By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Barracuda have announced a broadcasting agreement with the AM radio station KDOW. The arrival of the AHL in California gives fans a chance to see more live hockey at a lower price point, but radio coverage continues to be a staple for any fan who wants to follow a team. This agreement is good news for hockey fans.

Games will be aired live on KDOW and also streamed on the station’s website at www.kdow.biz. Coverage will begin with the team’s final preseason game at Bakersfield on Sunday October 3 at 7pm. All 61 games will be streamed on the website and 58 of them will be on the radio.

The games will be called by Eric Lindquist, familiar to Worcester Sharks fans after eight seasons doing the play by play for that team. This is Lindquist’s twelfth season in professional hockey and he has called over 800 games. For some games, he will be joined by Sharks alumni for color commentary.

KDOW has been broadcasting business and financial news in the Bay Area for seven years. The station reaches all nine San Francisco Bay Area counties and is also the broadcast partner for the San Jose Sabercats arena football team.

In the Sharks press release, KDOW’s general manager Mike Sheilds said, of the partnership:

“AM 1220 KDOW is thrilled to be partnering with The Barracuda and look forward to adding American Hockey League action as part of our sports programming line-up,”  said KDOW General Manager Mike Shields. “Our listeners love to work hard and invest hard, but they also play hard and professional hockey is a sport they surely will enjoy!”

Visit the Barracuda website for full schedule information.

Changes Coming for Sharks, NHL in 2015-16

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By Mary Walsh

The Sharks will have a captain next season, head coach Peter DeBoer told 95.7 the Game on Wednesday. He did not say who it would be, but the floating leadership experiment appears to be over in San Jose.

DeBoer also voiced his support for the changes in the NHL overtime format, approved on June 24. Instead of playing four-on-four, the teams will play three-on-three for five minutes. Last season, the AHL changed its overtime format to three-on-three, but it followed three minutes of four-on-four. Input from players encouraged the NHL to skip the four-on-four and go directly to three-on-three. The plan should reduce the number of shootouts for the upcoming season.

Approved at the same time was the coach’s challenge. For the upcoming season, challenges will be limited to goals scored after potential offside or goalie interference calls. The challenge will result in expanded video review of the play in question. To make a challenge, the team must not have used their timeout yet.

Elsewhere in the NHL, the Arizona Coyotes have reached an agreement with the City of Glendale, yet again. The resolution allows the parties to avoid a more drawn-out legal dispute. Full details of the changes to the agreement will be available on the Glendale City website.

In Toronto, Lou Lamoriello was named general manager of the Maple Leafs. The move surprised many as Lamoriello’s stepping aside in New Jersey appeared to be a sign that he was looking to trim his schedule instead of take on a new GM role.

Sharks Development Camp: Prospect Showcase

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By Mary Walsh

Thursday night, San Jose Sharks prospects took the ice at SAP Center for a scrimmage. Team Ricci defeated Team Marchment by a score of 5-2. Goals came at even strength, in 3 on 3 (which followed two even strength periods) and a penalty shot. Nikita Jevpalovs, Dylan Sadowy, Nikolay Goldobin, Barclay Goodrow and Jeremy Langlois all scored goals. While the scrimmage was a welcome entertainment in the middle of the off-season, the bulk of the work was done earlier in the week: a crash-course for young players to help them prepare for training camp in September.

The development camp also gives the team a chance to evaluate players before training camp. Defenseman Gus Young, a Worcester Shark last season and now free agent, was signed as the first member of the San Jose Barracuda Thursday.

After the morning practice, Roy Sommer gave his impressions of some of the Sharks’ recent first round draft picks. Of the Sharks’ 2015 first round pick, Timo Meier he said: “As the camp’s gone on, I think he’s gotten better and better. He’s a power forward, man, he goes hard to the net, big body, looks like he’s hard to stop. I’ll tell you what, he’s got a lot of intangibles. He’s good.”

Sharks fans had a chance to see the Sharks’ 2014 first round pick, Nikolay Goldobin, in last year’s preseason games. Of Goldobin this year, Sommer said:

He’s got offense. You know, when he wants to go, he’s pretty good. I think the big thing with him, he’s got to get a little more consistent. But offensively, he’s got all the tools. He sees the ice real well, just got to play both ends of the ice and get the confidence of the new coaching staff.

Thursday’s event was the third such scrimmage held by the Sharks, but the first under the new coaching staff. After the morning practice, Chris Tierney was asked whether this camp is different from last year. He said:

I think it’s pretty much the same. You know, Roy’s doing a lot of the drills, running that kind of stuff, so him and Tim Burke and Mike Ricci, they’ve been here for a couple of years. They kind of do the same camp, kind of focus on the same areas ever since I’ve been here. So it’s pretty much the same stuff.

Prospect camp attendees fall into two general categories: returning prospects and first timers. Returning prospects have an opportunity to hone leadership skills, helping the younger or less experienced attendees. Tierney, a returning prospect with 43 NHL games under his belt, described some of the ways a more seasoned player helps the new guys:

It’s nice to know what you’re going to do and know how to do the kind of drills. I think a couple of us that kind of want to be leaders here in this camp, going first in drills and taking questions from some of the young guys.

Coach Sommer described more ways that Tierney and other camp veterans help new arrivals during prospect camp:

From the get-go we told the guys that have been around here that have done a couple of these development camps: “be the leaders, be the first one in line, take care of these guys when they’re off the ice and show them downtown San Jose.” And him and Goodrow, the other guys, the Muellers, they’ve done a great job of that. They’ve been really good. I think it’s been one of the better camps we’ve ever had, as far as talent-wise and leadership-wise.

Among first-time camp attendees, there are those with no professional experience and those with quite a bit. Forward Joonas Donskoi, for example, has played for several seasons in the SM-liiga of Finland. He was on the 2015 SM-liiga All-Star team and was named Best Player in the Playoffs. His team won the league title last season. But this is his first time at a camp in North America. Is this like camps he has attended before?

Yeah, sure we have, kind of like these camps in Finland. Of course, been playing five years in Finnish professional league so I think it’s just great to be here. It’s a little bit different, a smaller rink and stuff like that so it’s a lot of things to learn …

One of the reasons I talked to Donskoi was a short drill I saw him doing with Mike Ricci. It was not in front of the net, but it looked like it was meant to be. It was a very quick drill and the precision involved was eye-catching. I asked if there was one particular thing that stood out as a good tip or advice he’s gotten here. There was not one thing, he explained:

A lot of information here. I mean, like Ricci and guys like that, I just appreciate the great career he’s made. He knows the game, so he has good tips for me, especially in front of the net. So I try to take everything out of it. I don’t know what’s the best tip, there’s so many good things at this camp. I really appreciate the information I got here.

On the practical side, how do these players make use of all this information in just a week? Donskoi makes some notes, and then incorporates it into his routine. He will go back to Finland on Saturday and practice what he has learned during the two months before training camp starts. He should bear watching in the season to come.

One additional and late-breaking piece of news came shortly before the prospect scrimmage began: the retirement of veteran Sharks beat writer David Pollak of the Mercury News. Mark Emmons is also leaving the Mercury News, but for another position and not retirement. Pollak will be missed in Sharks Territory. In his farewell blog entry, he promises to write again. May he do so soon and often.

Curtis Pashelka, who split time with Pollak last season, will carry on as the Sharks writer for the Mercury News.

Sharks Sign McNally and Cundari

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By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks announced Thursday that they signed defensemen Patrick McNally and Mark Cundari.

The Sharks acquired McNally from Vancouver for a seventh round pick during the draft.  The 23 year old defenseman was originally drafted in 2010 by Vancouver and has just completed the fourth season of his collegiate career with Harvard. From the Sharks press release:

“Patrick is a player we have had our eye on for some time now,” said Wilson. “He  has been a very productive collegiate defenseman and Head Coach Ted Donato and the Harvard staff have done a tremendous job preparing him to take the next step. We’re excited for him to continue his development with our organization.”

Last season, McNally led the Harvard Crimson in points, goals, assists and game winning goals, and was tied for the ECAC lead in goals by defensemen. He was named to numerous collegiate All-Star Teams throughout his career, and was part of last season’s ECAC championship team. McNally is a native of Glen Head, New York. His contract with the Sharks is for two years.

Mark Cundari played last season with the Adirondack Flames, the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Prior to turning pro, Cundari played with the Windsor Spitfires under then coach Bob Boughner, now assistant Sharks coach. Last season, Cundari led all Adirondack defensemen in goals and points and tied for the lead in assists. He served as alternate team captain last season and, in 2012-13, he was named to AHL Western Conference All Star Team. He has played eight NHL games with the Calgary Flames, earning one goal and two assists. His contract with the Sharks is for one year.

CSN’s Tracey Meyers reports that former Shark Andrew Desjardins has re-signed for two years with the Chicago Blackhawks. Desjardins was traded to Chicago at the last trade deadline and proved a valuable asset in Chicago’s last Stanley Cup championship.

Sharks Sign Joel Ward, Prospect Roster Announced

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By Mary Walsh

Continuing a busy first week of free agency, the San Jose Sharks have signed former Washington Capital Joel Ward. The contract is for three years and reportedly worth $3.275 AAV. The move adds another veteran to the roster, something of a departure from last year’s plan to rely on younger players. Ward just completed the second of two consecutive 82 game seasons with Washington, a good sign for a 34 year old. Like Paul Martin, Ward made Dan Rosen’s Top 20 UFA list, another departure from the Sharks’ habitual under-the-radar off-season moves.

From the Sharks’ press release:

“Joel is a quality veteran player who can score but also plays an extremely hard-nosed brand of hockey,” said Wilson. “He meshes well with our core group of forwards and has a strong track record of playing his best hockey at crucial times of the season.”

“Joel is an identity player in that he plays exactly the way I want our team to play,” said Sharks Head Coach Peter DeBoer. “He’s big, strong, fast and hard to play against. That’s exactly what we are looking for.”

Ward has shown that he is capable of scoring timely goals and he will certainly bring a wealth of experience to the room. He has 220 points in 517 NHL games, played with Minnesota, Nashville and Washington. Ward hails from North York, Ontario.

The Sharks prospect camp roster has been announced. The full list can be found at the Sharks website. One name that may come as a surprise is Gabriel Boudreau. He was not re-signed by the Sharks, but as he was not re-drafted, he was given a tryout invitation by San Jose.

The annual prospect scrimmage will be held at SAP Center on Thursday, July 9 at 7 pm. Tickets for the scrimmage are available for $5 at Ticketmaster. Proceeds will benefit the Sharks Foundation.

Sharks Announce New Assistants, Wayne Thomas Retires

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By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks announced Thursday that they had hired Bob Boughner as assistant coach. They also confirmed that Johan Hedberg has been hired as assistant coach and goaltending coach. In a separate press release, the team announced that Wayne Thomas, a longtime executive and coach, is retiring.

New Sharks coach Peter DeBoer is very familiar with both new coaches. In the team’s press release, DeBoer said of Boughner:

He had a great career as an NHL player but also didn’t have any problem going back to juniors to hone his coaching ability. He has a great teaching ability from working with younger players in juniors and we’re very fortunate that he was available because he could have been working in this League a long time ago if he wanted to.

Boughner spent the past four seasons coaching the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires, and is also President and part owner of the team. In his OHL coaching career, he led his teams to back to back Memorial Cup and OHL championships and also coached the U-18 Canadian team to a gold medal in the 2009 World Championships. He was briefly an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2010-11.

Johan Hedberg worked directly with DeBoer, as a player, a scout and an assistant coach. Of Hedberg, DeBoer said:

He was a student of the game for his whole career and having been around him every day in our years in New Jersey, it was evident that coaching is something that came naturally to him. His willingness to go to the American League last season and learn the coaching trade speaks volumes for his commitment to coaching.

Hedberg arrives as his predecessors, Wayne Thomas and goaltending development coach Corey Schwab depart.

Thomas spent 22 years with the Sharks organization, 19 seasons as assistant general manager, and 14 as vice-president. He also served as goaltending coach and supervised goaltender development for the club. In all, his hockey career spanned 45 years, as player (243 games over nine seasons), coach and executive. He was also general manager of the Sharks’ AHL team in Worcester. In the Sharks press release, Thomas said:

“I am very proud to have been a part of this organization and its accomplishments,” said Thomas. “My only regret is not being part of a group that brought a Cup to San Jose. After 22 years of being part of the Hockey Operations of the Sharks, it is time to spend a little more time being a husband, father and grandfather.”

Per a report from the Mercury News, Corey Schwab will also not be returning to the Sharks. Schwab spent seven seasons coaching goaltenders in both Worcester and San Jose.