The San Jose Sharks announced they sent defenseman Henry Thrun to the AHL.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun has struggled to start the season. This morning, the team announced he is headed to the AHL.

Thrun is waivers-exempt and allows the Sharks more flexibility on their roster. Radim Simek and Nikita Okhotiuk have been skating and are close to returning from injury.

Simek and Okhotiuk are eligible for waivers, and GM Mike Grier does not want to risk another team claiming someone. 

Thrun has played two games this season and earned an assist in both. He was scratched for the second game because head coach David Quinn felt he struggled a little. He also felt that Nikolai Knyzhov had been deserving a chance to play.

"I thought Henry [Thrun] struggled a little bit, and [Knyzhov's] been on the rise and deserves an opportunity to play," Quinn said before the second game.

Thrun will head to the San Jose Barracuda, where he can gain confidence and play as a top-two defenseman. He will likely be paired with Shakir Mukhamadullin atop the defensive depth chart.

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