Thoughts from day 2 at Sharks training camp

I didn’t have as much time at training camp today, but I still got some good insight.

• There was another good showing from Beck Warm, who the Barracuda signed in the offseason. Eetu Makiniemi and Magnus Chrona look like the early front runners to start in net for the Barracuda, but Warm and Gregori Romanov could make things interesting. Warm has put in two good halves now.
• The competition has officially started. There were a lot more bodies flying this morning compared to last. Some of that might have to do with Givani Smith’s first appearance in the scrimmage. Smith played the body more than once and scored the last goal of the game for Team Teal.
• Luke Kunin, returning from an injury and surgery that kept him out for the majority of last season, was on the ice for Group C. Kunin had a goal in the scrimmage. So far it looks like he’s fully recovered.
• Finally, Nikita Okhotiuk has some moves. The defenseman was granted the only power play breakaway (something the team does during scrimmages instead of the two-minute man advantage.) Okhotiuk had deceptively good hands and a quick shot to score on Romanov.

Look at those hands! 🙌 Nikita Okhotiuk with the breakaway power play goal against Gregori Romanov. pic.twitter.com/fT2FShqqFo

— Fear the Fin (@fearthefin) September 22, 2023

Early pairings and combinations

As with most seasons, you have to watch the first week or so of training camp and know that nothing is set in stone. Coaches are testing things out and seeing how players gel. So, when you’re looking at the pairs and groupings for the Sharks, it’s good to note that it’s not necessarily a sign of what we’ll see on the ice.

That said here’s how things played out through the first two days of camp:

• On day 2, it was a steady helping of Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Shakir Mukhamadullin in one defensive pairing for Group C. Henry Thrun and Jan Rutta made up a second pairing for the group.
• Tomas Hertl has seen a lot of playing time with Mike Hoffman. The third player on the line has alternated. Today, it was Adam Raska getting time with the duo.
• For Group B, Mario Ferraro and Leon Gawanke hit the ice together a lot.
• Alexander Barabanov and Anthony Duclair were paired together for most of day 1. While their linemate rotated at times, Thomas Bordeleau played the most with them.