Preview/Lines #18: Cicek Will Make NHL Debut Tonight

When Radim Simek was put on IR, the assumption was that seventh defenseman Scott Harrington would get the first chance to replace him.

Instead, San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn is tapping recently-recalled Nick Cicek to make his NHL debut.

Quinn cited Cicek’s more recent game action – Cicek’s last game with the San Jose Barracuda was on Sunday, whereas Harrington’s last game was on Oct. 22 – and the 22-year-old prospect’s training camp performance as the deciding factors.

What was Quinn’s message to the 6-foot-3 defender?

“Just do the things he did in training camp, that put him in a good situation,” the bench boss offered. “Play his game.”

During the pre-season, Cicek stood out because he defended hard and made a good first pass, even under duress.

Why Didn’t Gushchin, Merkley Make Sharks’ European Roster? How Did Cicek Make It? (+)

Let’s see if Cicek can carry that over to an NHL regular season game.

By the way, considering the presences of more ballyhooed youngsters like William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, Ryan Merkley, and more with the Barracuda, who had Cicek as the first Sharks prospect to get recalled and play this season?

San Jose Sharks (5-9-3)

James Reimer gets the call again. Quinn says that the left-handed Cicek, like the injured Radim Simek was, will be paired with lefty Mario Ferraro. I would guess it’s the veteran Ferraro who is forced to his off side.

Here are my projected lines tonight:

Meier-Hertl-Labanc
Nieto-Couture-Barabanov
Bonino-Sturm-Kunin
Lindblom-Lorentz-Svechnikov

Megna-Karlsson
Vlasic-Benning
Cicek-Ferraro

Reimer

Vegas Golden Knights (13-3-0)

Ben Hutton currently taking line rushes with Brayden McNabb. Shea Theodore not out here for morning skate.

Stephenson-Eichel-Stone
Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault
Cotter-Howden-Kessel
Carrier-Roy-Kolesar

Martinez-Pietrangelo
McNabb-Hutton
Hague-Whitecloud

Thompson/Hill

— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) November 15, 2022

Knights Nuggets: Reverse Retros Available, Fourth Line Magic

Where to Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Vegas Golden Knights at 7 PM PST at T-Mobile Arena. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.