Sharks Forward To Make Second Team Debut Against Blackhawks
Ottawa Senators left wing Noah Gregor (73) skates with the puck in the third period against the Seattle Kraken at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn ImagesSan Jose Sharks forward Noah Gregor will make his second debut for the team tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gregor returned to the Sharks in the trade that sent Fabian Zetterlund to the Ottawa Senators. The speedy winger has practiced with the team but wasn't made available to the media due to visa issues. On Thursday, that changed.
"[The trade] came as a bit of a surprise. I got the call right after the deadline, so I thought I was in the clear, but I guess not," Gregor said. "The initial shock was definitely there, but once I started thinking about the guys that I know here and the familiar faces, it definitely made it a lot easier."
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Gregor will skate on the fourth line with Patrick Giles and Barclay Goodrow.
Gregor was not qualified as an RFA following the 22-23 season and went to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a PTO. Despite the end, Gregor says there are no hard feelings.
"I don't really look at it as weird, or however you want to look at it. I enjoyed my time here. I have no hard feelings about how that went down. It's a business at the end of the day," Gregor explained. "The Sharks made a decision on me, and they seem pleased to have me back, and I'm happy to be back. So it's all good."
After the season, Gregor will be a UFA and is playing to continue getting opportunities in the NHL.
"I think everyone here, you know, has something to play for, whether it's contracts or, you know, setting yourself up for next year and especially just helping his team grow," Gregor said. "This is a team that wants to go in the right direction. Being in a rebuild here, there are some great pieces are coming up. I think you should want to be a part of that. And I definitely do."
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