VANCOUVERSharks head coach Todd McLellan commented on the reasoning behind sending forward Frazer McLaren to the team's AHL affiliate in Worcester prior to the Sharks-Canucks game at Rogers Arena.
He needs to play some hockey. He missed a year, we werent using him on a regular basis, McLellan said. We looked at our schedule the next little bit, and we probably werent going to use him on this road trip. We go into an All-Star break, and then were into February.
For a guy that hasnt played a lot, for his own career benefit, he needs to go play some hockey right now.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
McLaren played in the previous two Sharks games after sitting for nine straight, but his ice time was just 5:29 against Calgary on Tuesday and 4:39 vs. Ottawa on Thursday. In seven games since returning to the team from a hip injury, McLaren was scoreless with nine penalty minutes.
Meanwhile, the club recalled John McCarthy from Worcester in time for the Canucks game. McCarthy arrived on Friday night on a cross-country flight, connecting in Portland before joining San Jose at its team hotel. McCarthy leads Worcester with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 37 games played.
Im getting a lot of ice time, and getting a little more confidence with the puck and making plays, McCarthy said. Im getting some power play time, to just complete my game a little bit more. I think Im taking some strides.
McCarthy has appeared in 41 NHL games, all with San Jose, posting four points (two goals, two assists) and eight penalty minutes.
San Jose Sharks
A reliable player. I hate using the word safe, but a reliable player that understands the defensive part of the game, McLellan said. He can penalty kill if we need him, and hes somebody thats been here in the past.
The Sharks activated defenseman Jim Vandermeer from injured reserve, while forward Tommy Wingels was placed on I.R. with an upper body injury suffered against the Senators.
NEWS: Sharks activate Vandermeer, IR Wingels