SAN JOSE – Forward Timo Meier and defensemen Mario Ferraro are both expected to play in the Sharks’ home opener Friday when they host Brent Burns and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Meier and Ferraro were both considered questionable to play against the Hurricanes after they did not practice Thursday with upper body ailments. Both came out of Wednesday’s practice at less than 100 percent but were full participants in Friday’s morning skate.
James Reimer did not take part in the Sharks’ morning skate Friday but will play against Carolina, coach David Quinn said.
Meier was the Sharks’ leading scorer last season with 35 goals and 76 points and started this season on the team’s top line with Tomas Hertl and Luke Kunin. Last week in two games against the Nashville Predators in Prague, Meier had an assist and led the Sharks with 11 shots on goal.
Meier was also third among all forwards, behind only Tomas Hertl and Logan Couture, with an average of 19:21 in ice time per game.
Ferraro averaged 24:45 minutes of ice time through the team’s first two games and led the team with eight blocked shots and two assists.
William Eklund was recalled by the Sharks on Thursday, but that was done for salary cap purposes, a team spokesman said. Eklund, the Sharks’ top prospect, was taken off the team’s active roster Friday morning and is expected to play for the Barracuda later in the day in Iowa.
Source: www.mercurynews.com