Walman was a surprise healthy scratch on Tuesday per a coaches decision but will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.
The Sharks have won three of their last four games, two with Vanecek between the pipes, and will turn to him for a second consecutive start for the first time this season. The 28-year-old Vanecek has been serviceable between the pipes for a Sharks club with a -17 goal differential, second-worst in the league, posting a 3.21 GAA and .902 SV% in seven outings (2-4-0). That said, the Sharks enter the action on Thursday as significant +225 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild club with only two regulation losses (8-2-2).
Walman was a surprise healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as per a coaching decision. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.
For only the second time since October 18th, a nine-game stretch, the Avalanche will turn to Georgiev between the pipes. Jared Bednar and the Avalanche coaching staff will hope the off-time helped Georgiev regroup after a horrid start to the 2024-25 season, posting an abysmal 4.62 GAA and .822 SV% in six games (1-4-0). To make matters more concerning, Colorado faces off against a league-leading Winnipeg Jets club (12-1-0) that leads the league offensively with 62 goals in 13 games (4.8 GF / GP).
With Macklin Celebrini and Ty Dellandrea both returning from injuries, the Sharks have assigned Ethan Cardwell and Danil Gushchin to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). The 22-year-old Cardwell went scoreless in three games with the Sharks and with return to the Barracuda, where he has one goal and four assists through six AHL games.
With Macklin Celebrini and Ty Dellandrea both returning from injuries, the Sharks have assigned Ethan Cardwell and Danil Gushchin to the San Jose Barracuda (AHL). The 22-year-old Gushchin had one point (0G / 1A) while averaging 12:07 time-on-ice with the Sharks this season.
In his first season with the Sharks, Dellandrea has one point (1G / 0A), a -5 plus/minus, five blocks, and 24 hits in nine games. He was placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to October 26th and will make his return to the lineup on Tuesday, November 5th against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Vanecek has taken a back seat to Mackenzie Blackwood lately, starting only two of the last seven games for the Sharks, but will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Vanecek has an unspectacular 3.65 GAA and .879 SV% through six games this season (1-4-0), but was stellar in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks enter the action on Tuesday as +112 home underdogs against a Blue Jackets club off to a 5-5-1 start.
Walman will be a surprise healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets as per a coaching decision. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.
Vanecek has taken a back seat to Mackenzie Blackwood lately, starting only two of the last seven games for the Sharks, but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Vanecek has an unspectacular 3.65 GAA and .879 SV% through six games this season (1-4-0), but was stellar in his previous outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks enter the action on Tuesday as +112 home underdogs against a Blue Jackets club off to a 5-5-1 start.
Celebrini had a scorching hot start to his NHL career, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in the Sharks' season-opener, but has not played since, missing 12 straight games. The first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft is slated to make his return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, likely skating on a line with Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund.
In his first season with the Sharks, Dellandrea has one point (1G / 0A), a -5 plus/minus, five blocks, and 24 hits in nine games. He was placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to October 26th and will make his return to the lineup on Tuesday, November 5th against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
In his first season with the Avalanche, Kovalenko has shown glimpses of the talent that made him an offensive standout with Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo (KHL), but limited deployment has likely stunted the opportunity for true success. In 12 games, Kovalenko is averaging 13:41 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A).
Liljegren was acquired from the Maple Leafs on Wednesday in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick, a 2026 sixth-round draft pick, and defenceman Matt Benning. He amassed 14 goals and 51 assists in 197 career games with the Maple Leafs and should be afforded plenty more playing time in San Jose.
After a one-game absence, Thrun will re-enter the Sharks lineup on Thursday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 23-year-old Thrun is averaging 16:16 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A), 12 blocks, seven hits, and a -9 plus/minus through 10 games this season.
Celebrini, who had one goal, one assist and two SOG in his NHL debut has not played since then, missing 10 straight games. There is no direct target date for his return to gameplay but his return to practice on Thursday is a promising sign that he will return the lineup sooner than later.
The 17th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Liljegren had fallen out of favour under new Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube. He appeared in just 1 game this season after playing in 183 regular season games over the last three seasons. He amassed 14 goals and 51 assists in 197 career games with the Maple Leafs and should be afforded plenty more playing time in San Jose.
Thompson will re-enter the lineup after sitting out the front-end of San Jose's back-to-back on Monday. The 22-year-old blue-liner has three assists in four games this season and will likely feature on the team's second power-play unit.
