Marc-Édouard Vlasic will play his first game of the season when the San Jose Sharks host the Tampa Bay Lightning at SAP Center on Thursday (10:30 p.m. ET; FDSNSUN, NBCSCA).
“I’m happy to be back,” Vlasic said. I’m really looking forward to it, and I’m going to look to bring some energy and help the guys on the ice. »
Vlasic suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out of training camp. He began training again on November 18. Vlasic played in 57 games last season, recording six goals and six assists.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Vlasic’s physical condition largely explains why it took the defenseman so long to play his first game this season, even though he has been training for more than a month.
“He’ll have to keep things simple, move the puck around and defend with intensity,” Warsofsky said. I just found that his physical condition was much better over the last week. This was probably the most important factor. »
Vlasic will be paired with Jan Rutta.
Collin Graf will play his first game this season after being recalled from San Jose in the American Hockey League on December 31. Graf will play in a trio completed by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith.
“They have to be responsible with the puck, and be responsible without the puck,” summed up Warsofsky of his trio of rookies.
Swiss
