Logan Couture is inching closer to returning to the San Jose Sharks lineup.

Logan Couture is inching closer to returning to the San Jose Sharks lineup.

He has participated in practice with the team at full capacity but has yet to join in some 5-on-5 drills and line rushes. 

When the Sharks are fully healthy, Couture joins a deep center position. With Tomas Hertl, Mikael Granlund, and Nico Sturm, most likely, one of these four will play the wing. 

"Yes, there is," Sharks head coach David Quinn said about either Granlund or Couture playing wing. "We have Studnicka now too. We have depth. It all depends on what it looks like when Cooch comes back."

So, what could the lines look like when Couture returns?

Eklund-Hertl-Zadina
Granlund-Couture-Zetterlund
Barabanov-Sturm-Duclair
Kunin-Studnicka-Bailey

That is one option, but there could be another option as well.

Eklund-Hertl-Zadina
Duclair-Couture-Zetterlund
Barabanov-Granlund-Bailey
Kunin-Sturm-Labanc

If the Sharks want to keep their young wingers in the top six, a regular forward will most likely be scratched. Justin Bailey has played very well since joining the Sharks, and Quinn doesn't see him not being in the NHL. 

"I think the guys see his effort [and] they see the tracking, the forechecking, and the playing fast mentality that he has, and it's infectious," Quinn said. "If he continues to play like this, he certainly will be [here for the rest of the season]."

Here is one final option for the lines:

Eklund-Hertl-Couture
Duclair-Granlund-Zetterlund
Barabanov-Sturm-Bailey
Kunin-Studnicka-Labanc

Trades are almost certainly on the table as well. San Jose has multiple pending UFAs and could look to move one out before the March 8 trade deadline. 

Couture likely won't play against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. He will probably need some practice where he participates in game-ready line rushes. 

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