The San Jose Sharks are beginning a home-and-home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Logan Couture could make his season debut tonight.
The San Jose Sharks are beginning a home-and-home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Logan Couture could make his season debut tonight.
The San Jose Sharks are beginning a home-and-home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Logan Couture could make his season debut tonight.
Sharks coach David Quinn told reporters on Thursday that Couture would return on the upcoming five-game road trip.
However, with the move to send Jack Studnicka to the AHL yesterday, the Sharks have an open roster spot. Nico Sturm and Couture are the only centers on IR for the Sharks, so sending down centerman Studnicka indicates one of them could be returning.
Sturm has not practiced with the team since landing on IR on Dec. 15. Couture has practiced with the team for over a week. The first time he joined practice was on Dec. 19. He has participated in drills but has not taken place in line rushes to suggest he is returning.
San Jose did not hold a practice yesterday, and David Quinn will speak to the media at approximately 1:30 p.m. today.
At the time of this story being written, Couture has yet to be added to the Sharks' roster, per the NHL Media site.
Luke Kunin could also play center if Couture doesn't play, paving the way for Kevin Labanc to return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last four games.
As for the rest of the Sharks lineup, Kyle Burroughs missed the last game against the Winnipeg Jets due to a lower-body injury.
Mackenzie Blackwood started the last game and was terrific. He could get a second straight start.
In the third period of the previous game, Alexander Barabanov was placed on the top line alongside William Eklund and Tomas Hertl. Anthony Duclair was moved to the fourth line.
"Just more consistency," Quinn said about what he needs from Duclair. "Just a little bit of everything."
Sharks projected lines: *if Couture plays*
Eklund-Hertl-Barabanov
Zetterlund-Granlund-Hoffman
Kunin-Couture-Duclair
Bailey-Carpenter-Zadina
Ferraro-Emberson
Thrun-Rutta
Okhotiuk-Addison
Blackwood
Kahkonen
Sharks projected lines: *without Couture*
Eklund-Hertl-Barabanov
Zetterlund-Granlund-Hoffman
Bailey-Kunin-Duclair
Labanc-Carpenter-Zadina
Ferraro-Emberson
Thrun-Rutta
Okhotiuk-Addison
Blackwood
Kahkonen
The Maple Leafs are starting former San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones, and Noah Gregor faces the Sharks for the first time in his career.
Puck drop is at 4 p.m. PST and can be seen on NBC Sports California or the Sharks Audio Network.
Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
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Sharks Send Center to AHL; Open Up Roster For Potential Couture Return
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