it's so unlikely I didn't even ask. @denzel225 what about havlat???
Havlat has been ruled out from playing tomorrow. Stay tuned for a further update on the often-injured winger.
Martin Havlat News
The bad news is that Martin Havlat will still not be able to make his Sharks debut on Friday. Havlat took some line rushes with Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe on Thursday, but it appears that Tommy Wingels will remain on the wing with Havlat still recovering from left shoulder surgery.
Havlat continues to be as close to returning as possible without actually drawing in. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will continue skating in his place on the second line.
On the other hand, Martin Havlat looking good. Would guess he'll be fine by Friday.
While Havlat declared himself ready to play prior to Game 1 of the season, team doctors failed to clear him to play in time. He should return within the next week, provided his shoulder has enough strength to withstand the rigors of a full game.
Havlat not playing tonight but participating in #SJSharks morning skate.
Havlat remains very close to returning but needs to improve his strength. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will take his place on the second line.
#SJSharks make it official: no. Havlat in opener Saturday.
Havlat could be back for Game 2, so not all is lost. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will take his place on the second line.
Line Change
Am told Havlat (shoulder) will miss opener for Sharks on Saturday. Team has week off between games 1-2. Could be ready for Game 2
Havlat could be back for Game 2, so not all is lost. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. Tommy Wingels will take his place on the second line.
Line Change
Both Niemi and Havlat were “non-roster” players on the official roster that Wilson had to file with the NHL by noon. But that allows for day-to-day movement, the GM said, and either could be in the lineup Saturday night.
Havlat should be fully healthy, or close to it, to start the season. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. He should be able to improve those numbers with a much improved supporting cast.
There he’ll be examined by the surgeon who repaired his shoulder last May and — if all goes according to plan — fly back from Ohio with clearance to play in Saturday night’s season opener.
Havlat should be fully healthy to start the season. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. He should be able to improve those numbers with a much improved supporting cast.
Going through drills, Havlat is sharing the right wing spot on the Clowe-Couture line with Ben Ferriero.
It was reported Havlat shed his no-contact jersey which indicates Havlat should be back at full strength shortly. The winger scored 22 goals and 62 points in 78 games with the Wild last season. He should be able to improve those numbers with a much improved supporting cast.
Says Havlat of shoulder: “It wasn’t bad today. We’ll see how it feels later on, but I tried to push and shove a little bit more."
Havlat practiced in non-contact drills today, alongside his expected linemates of Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe. Havlat scored 20 goals and 62 points last season on the Minnesota Wild's first line. Expect those totals to only improve with a better supporting cast.
“He’s skating, he looks good, he looks like he’s in excellent condition. He’s shooting the puck. It’s just got to get a little bit stronger before we run any type of risk with him in physical play.
This injury prone winger should benefit from a lighter workout regime considering his track record. Expect an up-tick in production as he moves from a fledgling offense to a powerhouse.
Things can always change, but initially, the offensive-minded Czech forward acquired from Minnesota for Heatley will be skating alongside Logan Couture and Ryane Clowe.
As predicted, look for Havlat to skate alongside the Clowe-Couture duo. The injury-prone winger should see an up-tick in production as his linemates are a certain upgrade over Kyle Brodziak and company.
In another Wild-San Jose Sharks blockbuster, General Manager Chuck Fletcher acquired much-maligned but potentially lethal goal scorer Dany Heatley on Sunday night after Martin Havlat waived his no-move clause to head west.