As the first weekend of training camp drew to a close, there were hints to the media that the team expected to make more cuts to its training camp roster after the split squad tilts with the Vancouver Canucks.
Taking a look at both games Tuesday night, we have a better idea of who might last with the NHL club into the preseason games this weekend against Arizona and Anaheim, and who might be headed back to AHL Worcester come Wednesday.
The matchup at the Stockton Arena certainly showcased a few of the young hopefuls looking for an extended stay in San Jose. 2014 first round draft pick Nikolay Goldobin stepped up in the second frame of that game, tallying an assist on Barclay Goodrow’s goal — club hopeful Mirco Mueller registered an assist as well — that put the club ahead of Vancouver 2-0; then again with a wraparound that upped Team Teal’s lead 3-0 before the second period was over.
The line of Goldobin, Goodrow and Chris Tierney got high praise for their chemistry Tuesday evening.
Besides that, it was Sharks veteran making all the noise out in the 2-0-9. Joe Thornton scored twice, and Joe Pavelski notched the goal that solidified the 5-2 victory.
Meanwhile, up in Vancouver
The Sharks’ pair of goals in their 4-2 loss were all courtesy of the veterans. After entering the second stanza down 1-0, Brent Burns executed on a power play opportunity to tie the game up 1-1. Vancouver went back ahead 2-1 less than a minute later, but Patrick Marleau wristed the puck into the back of the net to knot things back up 2-2 before the period was over. (It unfortunately was not enough to silence Linden Vey’s three points, including an empty-netter that gave the Canucks the 4-2 victory.)
Some of the Sharks prospects did find themselves skating into the penalty box, however. Tye McGinn, Taylor Fedun, Taylor Doherty and Melker Karlsson all racked up two minute minors in their first games in this preseason.
Alterations to the training camp roster are expected to take place before the Sharks host the Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center on Friday, September 26. Puck drop for that game is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
