Calen Addison Brings Sharks Calmness On the Blueline
Calen Addison has been thrown right into the fire with the San Jose Sharks.
Head coach David Quinn immediately put him on the top powerplay unit and top defense pair with Mario Ferraro.
While the 23-year-old is still adjusting, there are signs of him settling in.
"It's his first time being traded at this level," Quinn said. "[He's been] thrown into the fire. It's going to take a little time. I definitely like some of the things he can do."
Through three games with the Sharks, Addison is averaging 20:34 toi. While with the Minnesota Wild, he averaged 16:48 toi. In his last two games with the Wild, he played 12:02 and 11:34.
Although the top powerplay unit hasn't scored with him running it, Quinn is encouraged by what he's seeing.
"He's got the ability to make plays, and he's got some poise to his game, too," Quinn said. "He's been a good addition."
The Sharks just called up Danil Gushchin, and although he isn't on the top powerplay unit, his offensive ability will give Addison another option to move the puck when they are on the ice together.
Quinn talked about what his defensemen need to do in the attacking zone.
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"We talked about it today. Our D have to be a little bit more alert when a puck gets up there," Quinn explained. "We get that third guy high; maybe we use him more. Get some guys rolling...have our D dive. There are a bunch of things we need to do more of."
The Sharks often move the puck from below the goal line to the defense up high. Once the puck gets high, the Sharks seemingly toss it away with a bad pass or an errant shot.
Whatever the case, Addison is bringing a calming presence to Sharks offensive zone pressure.
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