Thoughts from day 1 of Sharks training camp

I had a chance to stop by the Sharks training camp to get a look at some of the new faces, talk to some of the players and get an idea of what the coaches are thinking as they start the preseason.

Currently, the camp is broken into three groups with the veterans and prospects mixed together in each group. Right now, the coaching staff is mixing and matching forwards and defensemen to see what works well.

Among the players not taking the ice on day 1 was Logan Couture, who is rehabbing from an injury. The captain is at the rink and considered week to week.

A couple of quick notebook notes before I dive into some things a little deeper:

• Those rookie camps really help. Nothing prepares you for game shape like playing in actual games. A lot of the guys that were noticeable on day 1 were players that had played in the Rookie Faceoff Tournament. They just looked like they had a little extra jump in their step.
• Ryan Carpenter looks good back in teal. I remember being pretty sad when F*** Vegas took Carpenter off of waivers. While he’s bounced around the league a lot since that 2017-18 season, Carpenter still has some game. He was working hard during day 1 and had several noticeable moments. He’s likely destined for the Barracuda to give some of the younger guys a chance to make the Sharks, but don’t be surprised if he gets a callup at some point in time.
• Nikolai Knyzhov made some solid plays on defense. He was paired with Matt Benning for a good portion of day 1.
• Beck Warm received some cheers and stick taps following his turn in net during the scrimmage between Group A and Group B. Warm is a 24-year-old goaltender the Barracuda signed in the offseason. He’s played in a handful of AHL games but played a majority of last season in the ECHL.
• Anthony Vincent is a hard guy to play against. Vincent was noticeable in the rookie tournament because he was unafraid to go into the corners and push people around to get the puck. He continued that play during day 1 of camp, battling during each shift. He was rewarded with a goal during the scrimmage when he swatted at a loose puck in front of the net.

Karlsson, Karlsson, Karlsson

Even though Erik Karlsson was not in the locker room for day 1 of training camp, his presence was felt. Players were asked about missing the reigning Norris Trophy defenseman and if the Sharks game would change without him on the blueline.

“You’re spoiled when you play with Erik, who can get around a few guys in the defensive zone. He’s a one-man breakout, and obviously, he’s not here,” said Couture. We’re still confident on our back end. Those guys are still good puck movers; they’re playing in the NHL. Good players. So, you may not have that one dynamic guy, but as a group back there, I think they’re gonna contribute offensively and move pucks.”

Goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen says who plays on the backend does not change how he plays.

“First of all, obviously, great player. You can’t really replace a player like that, especially offensively,” said Kahkonen. “There’s always gonna be different people every year, every game, every shift. There’s injuries, there’s this and that. As a goalie, you can’t really think about that too much, if that makes sense. You got to focus on your game and your part of the game. And then, of course, it’s trying to work together with defensemen out there. But yeah, great player, like I said, impossible to replace but it’s gonna be a good opportunity for someone else.”

Who that someone else will be is still up in the air, but defenseman Matt Benning is pretty sure it won’t be him.

“Eric is Eric, and he’s gonna do what he’s gonna do. But I don’t think I’m that defenseman,” said Benning. “I think a lot of my offense last year came from just getting my shots through, making high tip plays, using our forwards, rewarding our forwards for getting to the net, or getting close to the net. So, I look to do a lot more of that and reward those who are getting the net for me.”

Newcomer Leon Gawanke isn’t looking to fill Karlsson’s shoes either.

“I mean, that’s a pretty big role to compare, but yeah, that’s definitely another spot that’s open after him getting traded,” said Gawanke. “I think it was cool to see him here a couple of days too when I arrived earlier because he had been really like my childhood idol, and so it was cool to finally meet him and see some stuff. I skated like two or three times with him but, like I said, it’s obviously another spot that’s open, and hopefully I’m gonna be one of the guys that can jump in there.”

In Tomas Hertl’s mind, it should not be completely on the defense to generate that kind of offense. He believes that the additions up front should negate some of the loss on offense and he’s taking part of that on himself.

“I think last year, for sure a lot of was from him, but now we get more weapons for our front, and somebody has to step up and make the plays,” said Hertl. “Same with me. I have to be more playmaker. I have to be better, and I think we should be fine, but it’s for sure tough to lose defenseman like that.”

Couture says the game plan has not changed simply because Karlsson is no longer in teal. Benning agrees.

“It’s definitely gonna be different without Eric, but with that being said, we got a lot more depth up front. We got guys who have proven themselves that can score up,” said Benning. “Obviously, there’s going to be…regardless of what team Eric’s on, if he leaves, there’s gonna be a hole there. That being said, you know, our forwards will be there. And I think our defensive group, I think, will be a little more simple.”