SJHN Daily: Sharks Welcome Cancer Fighter Layla Malone to Practice

The San Jose Sharks welcomed a special guest to watch practice on Tuesday.

After practice, the team gathered around the bench to say hello to their guest, nine-year-old Layla Malone.

Malone is the daughter of the team’s Director of Business Intelligence Tim Malone, and has been through a lot in her young life.

In the summer of 2020, Layla experienced increasingly severe leg pain.

On Sept. 1, 2021, the seven-year-old was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Her family set up a GoFundMe page with the goal of raising $4,500 to support the family through this incredibly challenging time.

Over two years and $14,659 in donations later, Layla is on the road to recovery. Her last chemotherapy treatment will be today, and she is on track to officially “ring the bell” — celebrating the end of a round of chemotherapy — on Nov. 20.

As part of the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, Layla is slated to drop the puck on Nov. 17 when the San Jose Sharks take on the Detroit Red Wings.

All photos from Amanda Cain of the San Jose Sharks:

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

Sheng Peng lays out four positives for the San Jose Sharks, despite their slow start to the 2022-23 season.

Rudolfs Balcers reflects on his surprise buyout from this summer.

Locked On Sharks provides a check-in on the top San Jose Sharks prospects.

Defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov skated for the first time since having surgery on his torn Achilles tendon.

OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

At practice, Tomas Hertl sported the gloves for the Sharks’ Reverse Retro kit.

WHAT ARE THOOSSSEE!? 👀 pic.twitter.com/2qQVDJyPQw

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 8, 2022

Here’s a look at Reimer’s Reverse Retro pants and pads pic.twitter.com/vUcroQ9Mcs

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 8, 2022

The San Jose Barracuda drop their fifth consecutive game, this time to the Calgary Wranglers

The Mercury News’ recent mailbag discusses a speculative Erik Karlsson trade.

Fear The Fin shares more on Erik Karlsson’s hot start to the season and recent nod as the NHL’s Third Star of the Week.

AROUND THE NHL…

Evander Kane is in stable condition and will undergo surgery after a gruesome wrist injury.

Goaltender Felix Sandstrom earned his first career win with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Karel Vejmelka stopped 32-of-33 shots to propel the Arizona Coyotes over the Buffalo Sabres.

The New York Islanders come back in the third period to defeat their cross-town rivals in overtime.

With Dallas Eakins ill, assistant coach Mike Strothers ran practice for the Anaheim Ducks.

With their loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Calgary Flames are now winless in their last six games.

Sandis Ozolinsh has joined the Colorado Avalanche as a scout.

The Vegas Golden Knights are on an eight-game win streak courtesy of Reilly Smith‘s overtime goal.

Colin White has made a strong impression in his time with the Florida Panthers so far this season.

Shane Wright and Ryan Donato share insight on becoming roommates.