Former Shark among NHL goal leaders

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SAN JOSECount former teammate Patrick Marleau among the many that are surprised Milan Michalek is tied for second in the NHL in goals.

Is he? Nice, said Marleau, Michaleks former linemate, after Mondays practice at Sharks Ice. I think hes a really good player. He was just scratching the surface when he was here, but hes got a great shot and great speed, and good hands.

Michalek was drafted sixth overall by the Sharks in 2003, and spent four generally productive seasons with the team from 2005-06 through 2008-09. His best was in 2006-07, when Michalek had a career-high 27 goals and 66 points.

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Still, few Sharks fans in the Bay Area shed many tears when he was shipped to Ottawa along with Jonathan Cheechoo for Dany Heatley, then thought to be the player that would put the Sharks over the top.

This year, Michalek already has 16 goals in just 27 games with Senators, tying him for second with a couple guys named Steven Stamkos and Phil Kessel and just one behind league leader Jonathan Toews heading into Tuesday nights games. Todd McLellan, who was the head coach in Michaleks final year as a Shark and McLellans first, isnt surprised.

I remember speed, and a big body coming through the middle, said McLellan of the 6-2, 210-pound winger. I remember him having to fight injuries a lot. When he was healthy and playing with us he was a hell of a player. Im not too sure hes been able to maintain that health status until this year.

Michalek suffered a substantial knee injury early in his rookie season on October 11 2003, after just two games.

Hes very skilled and has top-end talent, said Joe Thornton. He just needed to stay healthy and he has this year, and its good to see.

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