CSNBayarea.com is reporting that former North Bay Battalion forward Barclay Goodrow is close to making his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks.
The undrafted Battalion star signed as a free agent with the Sharks this off-season. Goodrow impressed the Sharks organization in training camp but his debut was stalled thanks to a hand injury he sustained by blocking a shot in teh Sharks final pre-season game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 4th.
Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan told the media on Tuesday that Goodrow is on the road trip and is practicing with the team.
The Sharks next game is Thursday, October 30th when the Sharks head to Minnesota to take on North Bay's Mike Yeo and the Minnesota Wild.
“Barclay is getting closer,' McLellan told CSNBayarea.com.
"We had hoped two weeks, but now we’re into three, three-and-a-half. It’s been awhile since he played and awhile since he’s been able to really practice with us. Most of his practice time has been in pregame skate situations where it’s never the same. The intensity isn’t the same in the morning as what it would be in practice days.
“The coaching staff is trying to work hard with him after to put him in situations where he begins to feel more comfortable," continued McLellan to CSNBayarea.com
Goodrow is expected to get a spot in the lineup right away when he is ready.
The Sharks have struggled to find a consistent third line after Goodrow, former London Knight Chris Tierney and Tommy Wingels skated together in the final three preseason games and potentially would have started the season together.
In 11 games, the Sharks have started the five different combinations on the third line. In the last two, it’s been Tierney, Matt Nieto and James Sheppard.
“When Barclay comes back, he’s going to play for our team," said McLellan.
"We want him to be in a situation where he has a chance to be successful, where he can go in and feel really good about his game and blossom, and not be chasing it. He’ll work hard to get there.”
