Sharks reveal training camp roster, possible early line combinations

Earlier today, the full complement of Sharks players skated together for the first time since Game 7 against the Kings last May as training camp kicked off in earnest. Here’s a look at the initial camp roster:

Forwards (26): Joe Pavelski, Andrew Desjardins, Patrick Marleau, Raffi Torres, James Sheppard, Anthony Stewart, Adam Burish, Bracken Kearns, Logan Couture, Matt Pelech, John McCarthy, Tomas Hertl, Brodie Reid, James Livingston, Tommy Wingels, Travis Oleksuk, Daniil Tarasov, Rylan Schwartz, Freddie Hamilton, Eriah Hayes, Tyler Kennedy, Matthew Nieto, Brent Burns

Defensemen (16): Jason Demers, Brad Stuart, Dan Boyle, Scott Hannan, Rob Davison, Mirco Mueller, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Konrad Abeltshauser, Matt Irwin, Nick Petrecki, Justin Braun, Sena Acolatse, Dylan DeMelo, Taylor Doherty, Matt Tennyson, Adam Comrie

Goalies (4): Antti Niemi, Alex Stalock, Harri Sateri, J.P. Anderson

As expected, Martin Havlat won’t be participating in training camp but could be back in the lineup sooner than many anticipated. Prospect Chris Tierney was presumably reassigned to his CHL team, thereby sliding his entry-level contract and moving the Sharks back below the 50-contract limit. More interesting than the roster itself, however, are the two teams the coaching staff has divided the roster into for the purpose of Friday and Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmages. The first takeaway is that Team A is going to get their asses kicked. The second is that it looks like the line combinations and defense pairings the Sharks will at least be opening camp with shake out like so:

Marleau – Couture – Torres
Hertl – Thornton – Burns
Wingels – Pavelski – Kennedy
Sheppard – Desjardins – Burish

Vlasic – Braun
Irwin – Boyle
Stuart – Demers

It’s a rough estimation; Hertl and Wingels could very well be switched and it’s unfortunately possible that the team intends to pair Hannan with Stuart instead of Demers. We’ll know more when full-on practices begin tomorrow.