Two top San Jose Sharks wingers still nursing injuries prior to European trip
SAN JOSE – Two of the San Jose Sharks’ top six forwards might not be able to play in an NHL preseason game and could still be nursing injuries by the time the team leaves for Europe this weekend.
Alexander Barabanov on Wednesday once again remained off the ice with a lower-body injury, five days after he was originally hurt in practice, and Oskar Lindblom stayed off for a second consecutive day with what coach David Quinn said was an upper-body ailment.
Barabanov and Lindblom were each expected to quickly return from their respective injuries, but that didn’t happen. Both are now considered day-to-day and will travel with the Sharks to Germany on Saturday afternoon. San Jose has an exhibition game with Eisbären Berlin on Tuesday.
Barabanov and Lindblom have yet to play in a preseason game. The Sharks are playing the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night at Toyota Arena in Ontario and finish the preseason with split-squad games in Anaheim and Las Vegas on Friday.
It wasn’t immediately clear if either Barabanov or Lindblom will be able to play Friday or skate again before the start of the trip. After the exhibition game in Germany, the Sharks begin the regular-season games with games against the Nashville Predators in Prague on Oct. 7 and 8.
Regarding Barabanov, who was first hurt Saturday, Quinn said, “We were hoping for more progress but it hasn’t happened yet.
“He may feel good (Thursday). It’s one of those things where he (wasn’t) able to practice.”
Once he’s healthy again, Barabanov is expected to play on the Sharks’ top line with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier. Lindblom started camp on the second line alongside captain Logan Couture and winger Kevin Labanc.
Barabanov had 39 points in 70 games last season and Lindblom has 26 points in 79 games.