Felicia Keller
Will Ty Dellandrea start the season as the San Jose Sharks’ third-line center?
That appears to be the case, as Dellandrea was the 3C in two separate line drills during Tuesday’s practice.
Head coach Ryan Warsofsky says that Dellandrea seized the job in camp: “Early in camp, we didn’t really know who could jump in that spot. Were we going to move [Philipp] Kurashev to the wing [or] back to the middle? So we moved him around a little bit. But Delly, through the games he played, through practice, he’s been on a mission, so he’s earned it.”
Top prospect Michael Misa was also a candidate for the role, but might be on the outside looking in for opening night on Thursday. So what did Dellandrea do to win the job? Also, it looks like the captaincy decision, yay or nay, is coming on Wednesday. How did Misa and Sam Dickinson find out they had made the Sharks? Which under-the-radar prospect finished camp strong?
Back to Dellandrea.
Warsofsky was especially impressed with Ty Dellandrea‘s effort in a 3-2 pre-season loss to an NHL-caliber Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 29: “He was probably our best player in that one there in Anaheim.”
Warsofsky called it the best game that he’s ever seen from Dellandrea, acquired last summer from the Dallas Stars for a fourth-round pick, play for the Sharks.
In general, Warsofsky has loved Dellandrea’s camp, and believes the 6-foot-2 center-winger deserved first crack at 3C.
“Had a purpose to his shifts. Wasn’t trying to do too much, but he was playing towards an identity of trying to get under teams’ skin. Plays hard, plays physical, good details without the puck,” Warsofsky said. “He’s really worked on his faceoffs, winning faceoffs. He gives us a right shot face off along with (Adam) Gaudette.”
So what does Warsofsky want from the ideal third-line center?
“200 foot (player) that can play on both sides of the puck, can chip in offensively. There’s a lot of guys around the league that have made a lot of money just playing in that 3C hole, and it’s an important role, because you’re [usually] a second power play, you’re a little bit of penalty kill, you win big faceoffs, you can play against heavy teams.”
And honestly, that’s a big question for Dellandrea: The 2018 first-round pick has never contributed much offensively in the NHL, topping out at nine goals and 28 points with the Stars in 2022-23.
But no doubt, Dellandrea has had an excellent camp, and the 25-year-old is young enough to still hope for just a little more offensive upside. Can Dellandrea add that to his solid size, skating, defensive game, and faceoff chops?
“Hopefully, a little light switch went off right then and there,” Warsofsky said, of Dellandrea’s camp.
Of course, it’s not Dellandrea’s job for good. Gaudette, 19 goals last year, might get elevated eventually, but it seems Warsofsky really likes his fourth line, for now. Misa should only get better. Kurashev can play there too.
But for now?
“[Dellandrea has] earned that spot, and we’re going to give him a chance to keep it,” Warsofsky said. “We’ll see how it plays out.”
No Captain? My Captain?
The wait for the San Jose Sharks to name (or not name) a captain should end tomorrow.
Warsofsky said there was one more conversation to be had, before revealing the organization’s captaincy decision on Wednesday afternoon. Will the Sharks name a successor to Logan Couture — or in effect go their third-straight season without a captain?
How Misa & Dickinson Found Out They Made Sharks?
The much-awaited prospects have officially made the San Jose Sharks’ season-opening roster.
How did they find out they’d made the team? Well, neither of them were exactly told.
Sam Dickinson did the math and put together that he’d be making the team.
“Yesterday, just seeing what was happening with the team, and looking at my phone, seeing [the roster moves],” Dickinson said. “I didn’t really get a call or anything like that. Just had a feeling through the day that things were maybe going to go my way. In the end, it all worked out.”
Michael Misa found out like everybody else – on social media, specifically Instagram.
Misa checked in with his family after the news, while Dickinson’s older brother Jack reached out to him to inquire on his status.
“FaceTimed my parents and my brother’s pretty happy for me, too,” Misa said of Luke, who’s playing at Penn State. “It’s always good when you’ve got people by your side and supporting you on the way.”
“(Jack) called me, asking if anything was going on. And at the time, I was like, ‘I don’t really know.’ But that was it. Should probably give my parents a call or something like that,” Dickinson smiled.
While Misa and Dickinson may not suit up on opening night on Oct. 9, they’re sure to make their NHL debuts soon.
Orlov-Mukhamadullin Flip-Flop?
Russians Dmitry Orlov and Shakir Mukhamadullin have formed a bond in San Jose. The left-handed defensemen have been paired up in training camp, with one of them playing their offhanded side – something that can be easier for Russian defensemen than most.
The veteran Orlov had been the one making the switch and playing on the right, but on Tuesday, Mukhamadullin lined up on the right side with Orlov on the left.
“We’re comfortable with Muck on the right. Orly was dealing with a little upper-body injury, and we’re just managing that a little bit,” Warsofsky said.
Warsofsky is confident that Orlov will be good to go opening night.
Ostapchuk Rising?
Winger Ethan Cardwell and defenseman Luca Cagnoni were the San Jose Sharks prospects who probably made the strongest impressions to close camp, evidenced by being sent down on the last possible day before the team submitted their opening night roster.
Credit to center Zack Ostapchuk, too, the only other prospect to last until the end of camp.
“They made it difficult on us,” Warsofsky said. “They did some really good things.”
Cardwell and Cagnoni’s camp have been documented, but Ostapchuk flew under the radar.
The 6-foot-4 center, acquired last year for Fabian Zetterlund, got off to a slow start in camp, but for good reason.
“He had an injury over the summer, and it took him a little bit to get going,” Warsofsky said of the defensively-minded center. “Chucky got a lot better as camp went on.”
What clicked?
“Playing towards his identity. Big guy, physical, helped on faceoffs…he’s a very driven kid,” Warsofsky said. “He’s got a really bright future for our team and our organization. Did a really good job in the last couple games there. He can build off that.”
Injury Update
Like Orlov, John Klingberg is nursing a minor upper-body injury that shouldn’t prevent the blueliner from playing on opening night.
Defenseman Jack Thompson and winger Egor Afanasyev, both roster bubble candidates (and subject to waivers), started the season on IR. The San Jose Sharks, however, will have to make a roster decision on them soon; Warsofsky says they both have day-to-day lower-body injuries.