Connect with us

Links

Boughner Demotes Dahlen: “Hopefully, he gets that message.”

Published

on

Credit: San Jose Sharks

In two games since the San Jose Sharks returned from their extended break, Jonathan Dahlén has struggled to return to form.

“I need to see jump back,” remarked head coach Bob Boughner on Saturday morning.

At Saturday morning’s practice, Matt Nieto skated alongside Logan Couture and Rudolfs Balcers, while Dahlén was moved down the lineup, skating with the fourth line.

“Any time a coach drops you from the top line to the fourth line, it’s a message, so hopefully, he gets that message,” commented Boughner about the move.

“I guess the message is I have to be better,” Dahlén recognized.

“He’s never going to be one of the fastest guys out there,” Boughner noted about Dahlén, going on to mention the switch to put Nieto in Dahlén’s spot gives San Jose Sharks captain Couture a bit more speed to work with. It was a move that worked well Thursday night, resulting in a Couture goal.

Specific areas where Boughner wants to see improvement are in Dahlén’s intensity on puck battles, energy on the forecheck, and a quicker start to his game, specifically referencing Thursday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks.

“He’s been part of our offense here, and he’s a secondary scoring guy kind of thing, but I thought he started his game slow and lost some puck battles early. Playing on that big line, you can’t do that.”

Boughner is confident that Dahlén is aware of what he needs to work on: “He’s honest with himself and knows his game.”

Dahlén himself seems to agree: “I’ve played okay this year, but I haven’t played that good.”

Should he be in the lineup on Sunday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights — it looks like he will be, per Boughner — Dahlén will have the chance to prove he has taken Boughner’s message to heart.

“It’s obviously the best league in the world and there are going to be ups and downs in the season,” the rookie noted.

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

What Personal Record Did Meier Break Last Night?

GOTTA SEE IT: Barabanov Sends Sharks to OT with Buzzer-Beater

Sheng Sells Hertl on Staying with Sharks

Sharks’ Last Stand?

IN OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

Nick Bonino could thrive in an adjusted role for the San Jose Sharks. (The Hockey Writers)

Jasper Weatherby joins Teal for Change to discuss his history of activism. (NHL)

James Reimer is carrying a heavy workload while Adin Hill remains out. (The Mercury News)

The Top 25 San Jose Sharks players under 25: Adam Raska. (Fear the Fin)

Could Tomas Hertl soon be named captain? (The Hockey Writers)

AROUND THE NHL…

Slovakia blanks Sweden en route to their first Olympic men’s hockey medal. (The Hockey News)

Jamie Benn fined $5,000 for squirting water at opponent from the Dallas Stars bench. (FOX Sports)

Noise complaint filed against the US men’s hockey team at the Olympic village. (Sports Illustrated)

Canadian women claim Olympic gold in 3-2 win over Team USA. (The Mercury News)

The Pittsburgh Penguins must find a way to re-sign Bryan Rust:

The Penguins Can’t Afford to Sign Bryan Rust…They also Can’t Afford Not To

Boston Bruins remain without Brad Marchand as the NHL upholds his six-game suspension:

NHL Upholds 6-Game Suspension For Boston Bruins Marchand

Joe Sakic and the Colorado Avalanche are in a recognizable position right now:

Frei: Joe Sakic knows all about pressure – on the ice and in the Avalanche front office (+)

Andrew Brunette coaches for the Florida Panthers but has ties to Minnesota:

Florida Panthers coach Andrew Brunette back ‘home’ in Minnesota

Kieffer Bellows is working to stay consistent for the New York Islanders:

Kieffer Bellows Was Ready & Waiting, Did Everything To Stay In Lineup

The Vegas Golden Knights aren’t bringing back Marc-Andre Fleury, but what about Alexander Georgiev?

Golden Knights Trade Talk: No Fleury, but Georgiev Could Be an Option

Philadelphia Flyers set to honor public address announcer Lou Nolan:

Louuuuuuuuuuuu! Legendary Flyers announcer Lou Nolan to be honored

Could the Washington Capitals move to acquire Artturi Lehkonen?

Could Canadiens’ Lehkonen Be A Trade Target For Capitals?

Jakub Vrana takes huge step towards a return for the Detroit Red Wings:

Red Wings Forward Vrana Cleared For Contact

Trade talks surrounding the Vancouver Canucks and Brock Boeser are heating up as the trade deadline approaches:

Trade Talk in Boston Regarding Canucks – DeBrusk, Boeser

In the hunt for hardware, the Calgary Flames are just where they want to be:

Jack Adams favourite keeping team on track in chase for hardware

The Montreal Canadiens add Nick Bobrov and Vincent Lecavalier to their front office:

Canadiens Hire Nick Bobrov And Vincent Lecavalier

Welcome to your new home for San Jose Sharks breaking news, analysis and opinion. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and don't forget to subscribe to SJHN+ for all of our members-only content from Sheng Peng and the National Hockey Now network plus an ad-free browsing experience.

Sheng’s Travel Fund

Help fund Sheng's travel! Every dollar goes to the cost of getting to and from Sharks road games.


Click here to contribute to Sheng's travel pool!

Get SJHN in your inbox!

Enter your email address to get all of our articles delivered directly to your inbox.

Hockey Shots

Extra Hour Hockey Training

Cathy’s Power Skating

Sharks Team & Cap Info

SJHN on Facebook

All the San Jose Sharks news that's fit to print

Enter your email to get the best Sharks coverage delivered straight to your inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.