LOS ANGELES -- Michal Handzus will miss Mondays Sharks-Kings game at Staples Center with an illness, coach Todd McLellan announced after the morning skate.
Handzus also missed practice on Sunday, and it was thought that he would accompany the team on its short flight south later in the afternoon. That didnt happen.
We found out after practice that he just wasnt feeling good enough, and we didnt need to bring that germ on the plane and have it go through everybody, said McLellan.
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That could open the door for Frazer McLaren to make his season debut. McLaren recently returned from a conditioning stint with Worcester after recovering from hip surgery in September.
If we do put him in, he knows what hes supposed to do and he knows how to do it, said McLellan. Hes done it before in the past, and everybody has to play their first game of the regular season. This could be his, or it could be down the road.
McLaren has not played an NHL game in over a year.
The concern about putting Frazer in the lineup is that were 20 games in, said McLellan. Its not exhibition season and its not even that first phase of games where the younger inexperienced players shine, and the game finally catches up. So, thats a concern that he hasnt played in so long.
San Jose Sharks
The other option McLellan has is dressing seven defensemen. Colin White is also unavailable, attending a family funeral.