Ferraro & Eklund on Playing Hertl for First Time, His Impact on Them

LAS VEGAS — It’s going to be an odd sight for the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night: Tomas Hertl in a Vegas Golden Knights uniform.

“That will be strange. It’s gonna be weird to see him out there,” William Eklund, who played with Hertl from 2021 to 2024, said.

The Sharks traded homegrown star Hertl, along with a pair of third-round picks, to the Golden Knights last Trade Deadline for David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick.

“It’s gonna be different playing against him tonight,” Mario Ferraro, who played with Hertl from 2019 to 2024, said. “But we did an exhibition game so that kind of warmed me up a little bit, be ready for it.”

The Sharks faced Hertl for the first time in Las Vegas in their preseason finale on Oct. 5.

Regardless, Saturday night is going to be at least a little emotional for everybody, Hertl included.

“It’ll feel different, when we play here than in San Jose eventually. But I was there 11 years, long time. I obviously follow them, because I got friends and the team [gave] me everything,” Hertl said on Friday night, after he scored the game-tying goal in a 6-4 Vegas comeback victory. “Looking forward to it, but I want to bring [my] best and get another two points.”

Still a strange sight and sound pic.twitter.com/0J17kBmikm

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 26, 2024

Trust me, Tomas Hertl has circled his Dec. 27 return to SAP Center on his calendar — he spoke at length about his time with the Sharks in a San Jose Hockey Now exclusive on Friday.

No matter what happens in tonight’s game, Hertl will remain one of the most beloved San Jose Sharks ever — not just for the fans, but his teammates.

“Coming in here, even my first nine games, my second eight games, and then beginning of last season, meant a lot,” young Eklund said. “He’s a true professional.”

Through some of the worst days in San Jose Sharks history, you could always count on Hertl for a smile, too.

“Herts means a lot to me, and he’s meant a lot to the Sharks organization in general. He’s a guy that showed up to the rink, always happy, always in a good mood, something I like to try and do as well,” Ferraro said. “I looked up to him quite a bit. Obviously, his play speaks for itself.”