Sheppard won't play for Sharks this season

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EDMONTONSharks forward James Sheppard has completed his two-week conditioning stint in Worcester, and is on his way back to San Jose to visit with team doctors.

He will not play for the Sharks this season, as he would have to clear waivers in order to join the cluba risk the Sharks are not willing to take.

According to Sharks general manager Doug Wilson, Sheppard is 80 to 90 percent there in terms of his recovery from a devastating left knee injury. When the club acquired Sheppard from Minnesota for a 2013 third round pick in August, it knew that Sheppards rehab would be lengthy, and there was a strong possibility he would not play any NHL games this season.

We understood the medical side, and were willing to put the time into it, Wilson said, adding that Sheppard is right on track with where they expected him to be, medically.

Sheppard, who was scoreless in four games with Worcester, was injured in an ATV accident on September 10, 2010. He is a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

A former first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by Minnesota, Sheppard has 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 224 career NHL games over three seasons.

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