Sharks’ unusual Opening Night roster creates golden chances for some originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
The Sharks’ Opening Night playing roster is unusual.
Typically, an official 23-man roster will have at least one extra forward, defenseman, and goalie. Not so with the Sharks, who submitted an official opening day playing roster to the NHL on Monday with 15 forwards, six defensemen, and two goalies.
So that’s three extra forwards, one extra goalie…and zero extra defenseman.
The Sharks do begin the regular season on Oct. 10 on a two-game homestand, so likely, they’re thinking that help is nearby if a defenseman gets hurt.
It’s not like these opening day playing rosters are locked. They’re mainly just to ensure cap compliance: Trades, demotions, and recalls all are possible.
Here’s my reaction to the Sharks’ official opening day playing roster.
Forwards (15)
Macklin Celebrini, Ty Dellandrea, William Eklund, Barclay Goodrow, Mikael Granlund, Carl Grundstrom, Danil Gushchin, Klim Kostin, Luke Kunin, Givani Smith, Will Smith, Nico Sturm, Tyler Toffoli, Alex Wennberg, Fabian Zetterlund
“Gushchin has to be on this team.”
“Our pro scouts have been all over him, said they don’t know how they could send him down right now.”
That’s what two NHL scouts, not with San Jose, messaged San Jose Hockey Now, as Danil Gushchin was putting the finishing touches on a five-assist performance against the Vegas Golden Knights during Saturday’s preseason finale.
The Sharks made it work, shoehorning Gushchin in the rarely-seen 15-6-2.
But all the credit goes to waiver-exempt Gushchin, who forced San Jose’s hand with a league-leading nine points in four preseason games.
There’s no doubt that general manager Mike Grier didn’t want to lose bubble forwards Klim Kostin and Givani Smith, neither waiver-exempt. Typically, these circumstances would push out Gushchin to the AHL, regardless of the internet criticism.
But now, the hard part begins for Gushchin.
Playing and power play time could be relatively scarce for Gushchin, judging by Monday’s practice lines, in advance of Thursday’s season opener.
Gushchin was on a fourth line with Ty Dellandrea, centered by Nico Sturm, and on the second power play unit with…