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Preview/Lines #66: What’s Giles Improved Most? Thrun & Rutta Injury Updates

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3 months ago

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Credit: Dean Tait/Sport Shots

What’s Patrick Giles improved to get on the San Jose Sharks?

It hasn’t been the easiest path: Despite being the 47th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting before the 2018 Draft, the 6-foot-5 center-winger went undrafted. Then, after four years at Boston College, he earned a tryout with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers in 2022. He played well enough to earn a contract for the 2022-23 season with the Checkers, and ultimately impressed the Florida Panthers enough to be awarded an NHL entry-level contract.

Giles had a strong training camp this past fall and made the Panthers’ opening night roster.

“He has good hands around the net for a big guy. He is making a case for himself,” Paul Maurice told the Miami Herald. “He has done what he needs to do in this camp and has moved himself up the depth chart.”

Earning a job out of training camp is difficult for any rookie, but for an undrafted player to make the reigning Stanley Cup champion is even tougher, yet Giles pulled it off and made his NHL debut.

Giles played nine games for the Panthers, averaging 7:23 a night with no points.

“Everyone tries to work on their skating, and that’s something I’ve really honed in on the past couple years,” Giles, acquired by the Sharks for Vitek Vanecek before the Trade Deadline, told San Jose Hockey Now on Saturday. “That was the biggest difference maker for me, was picking up my speed just through the neutral zone and being first in on the forecheck. That’s a big part of my game, so I want to continue to do that here.”

Giles had a solid start to his San Jose Sharks’ career on Saturday night, adding two shots and three hits in 9:42 against the New York Islanders, showing off both his size and skating.

“A guy who can, hopefully, win a job at 4C with his size. Smart player, so he’s gonna get a good opportunity here,” head coach Ryan Warsofsky said.

Role players, even on rebuilding teams, are important assets. Giles isn’t known for being a tremendous offensive talent, but he can help in other ways, while chipping in some offense.

“I’m just gonna play hard, stick to my game, not try and do anything crazy,” said Giles. “I know what I’m bringing to the table, just getting in on the forecheck [and] playing hard.”

Giles also brings versatility to the San Jose Sharks’ lineup, as he can play any forward position.

“I’ve played them all. I think it just helps, because you never know where you’re gonna get thrown into the lineup.”

Trades always bring new beginnings. Now, Giles gets a fresh start to carve out a place for himself in the NHL.

“It’s always hard to leave a team that you’re on. Now that I’m here, I’m super-excited to be part of the San Jose Sharks organization.”

San Jose Sharks (17-39-9)

Alexandar Georgiev will start.

Tyler Toffoli (lower-body) and Noah Gregor (immigration) are both game-time decisions.

Warsofsky noted that Henry Thrun has a week-to-week upper-body injury and there’s no timetable for Jan Rutta to return. Rutta has been out since Jan. 23 with a lower-body injury, while Thrun last appeared on Mar. 8.

Nashville Predators (24-32-7)

This is how the Preds lined up in their last game, a Mar. 8 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Where To Watch

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators is 7:30 PM PT at SAP Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.

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