Wednesday Sharks Links: Wingels, Braun out for three to six weeks

Tommy Wingels will miss the next three to four weeks while Justin Braun expects to be on the shelf four to six weeks, both with hand injuries suffered in last week’s loss to the New Jersey Devils. Both players are at risk of missing next month’s outdoor game against Los Angeles. [CSN Bay Area]
When asked to assess the Sharks’ status at the All-Star Break, Todd McLellan was frank: “We’re a middle-of-the-pack team.” [Mercury News]
Joe Pavelski, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Antti Niemi, all three of whom have a shot at representing their respective countries at the recently confirmed 2016 World Cup, shared their reactions to that tournament being revived for the first time in twelve years. [Gackle Report]
Tomas Hertl, Barclay Goodrow and Mirco Mueller are back from their stint in Worcester during the break and all three seem to have had a productive time. Hertl centered Goodrow and John McCarthy, picking up two assists in the process, gaining valuable experience at a position McLellan sees him playing long-term. [Mercury News]
Apparently Brent Burns (good-naturedly) blew off reporters yesterday because Kevin Kurz gave him a B in his midseason evaluation. [Working the Corners]
Former Shark Marcel Goc was traded from Pittsburgh to St. Louis last night for former Shark-murderer Maxim Lapierre. [Pro Hockey Talk]
Good breakdown of why the NHL’s most hated players are never going away. Unless they’re Raffi Torres and spend two seasons on the shelf I suppose. [Eye On Hockey]/

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