4/27 Practice Report: Nieto & Labanc Back, Leonard to Top-6?

The San Jose Sharks forward lines were a jumble today. Will we see anything like this tomorrow night?

Barabanov-Hertl-Kane
Balcers-Couture-Leonard
Labanc-True-Gregor
Meier-Marleau-Blichfeld-Donato
Viel-Gabriel-Nieto-Sorensen (extra)

Ferraro-Burns
Knyzhov-Karlsson
Vlasic-Pateryn
Pasichnuk-Jaros

Is that John Leonard in the top-six? Kevin Labanc, back from injury, in the bottom-six? Timo Meier on a third or fourth line?

Among the San Jose Sharks forwards not on the ice for practice this morning: Dylan Gambrell and the recently called-up Ivan Chekhovich.

San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner said that Gambrell blocked a shot late last night, explaining his absence. He also cautioned against reading too much into today’s lines — it sounds like there are a lot of question marks. Joachim Blichfeld also left practice early after taking a puck to the face. He did confirm, however, that Josef Korenar is getting the start tomorrow night.

In regards to Labanc and Donato, my guess is Labanc is probably ahead of Donato: Labanc was a full participant in practice, while Donato jumped on late.