San Jose Sharks News

Orlov will make $1.75M in 2014-15 and $2.25M in '15-16. Orlov has three goals and six assists with a minus-4 rating in 39 games this season.

Orlov ran Schenn from behind in the corner of Sunday's OT loss to the Flyers. With Orlov out for the next two contests, the Caps have recalled Jack Hillen from his conditioning stint with Hershey (AHL).

Couture had said previously this week that something unexpected would have to delay his return to the lineup tonight. Feel free to use him as he'll be centering Marleau and Havlat.

Toffoli, 21, has appeared in 39 games with the Kings this season, recording 19 points (10G / 9A), eight penalty minutes, and a plus-15 rating. Toffoli has also played in 18 games with Manchester this season, recording 24 points (15G / 9A) and four penalty minutes.

Couture confirmed that only an unexpected occurrence would keep him out of the Sharks’ next game, on Thursday against the Flyers. Couture missed the last 16 games with a right hand injury, and he still wraps it for practice. He hurt himself on December 19 in Los Angeles, played through it for nearly three weeks, and eventually had surgery on January 8. “I’m ready to go in three or four days, whatever it is. Feels good as its felt in three months,” he said. Couture has 14 goals, 21 assists (35 points) and a plus-13 rating in 43 games this season.

There were reports earlier in the week that Couture is "close" and could be back before the break, but it sounds like he will be held out until after the Olympics.

“He was shooting the puck very well. Better than he has been over the last week," said Sharks head coach Todd McLellan. "That just shows progress. His legs and lungs have been maintained very well. I think when he finally gets the go-ahead to really get involved the conditioning will come quick. The timing will take a couple games, but is he on pace to play before the Olympic break? I sure hope so, but I can’t answer that definitively.” Couture will miss his 10th straight game tonight.

Thornton currently leads the NHL with 47 assists to go along with six goals (53 points) in 51 games. Thornton is in his seventh season with the Sharks, he has totalled 1171 points (337G / 834A) in 1175 career NHL games with the Sharks and the Bruins.

Toffoli got off to a hot start with four goals and four assists in his first seven games and 17 points (9G / 8A) 22 games. However he has failed to record a point in his last 11 games and now finds himself back in the AHL.

Reaves, 26, is in his fourth season with the Central-leading Blues and in 26 games, he's tallied two goals, three assists and 65 minutes in penalties. Reaves was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

This is a bad break for the Sharks, but it was revealed that Couture had been playing with the injury for a while now. It didn't appear to hurt his play too much as he was riding a five-game point streak (4G / 1A) after Monday. He was not selected to Team Canada.

Reaves has not played since November 23 because of a broken hand. His role on the Blues squad is not that of a player with fantasy relevance. He has two goals and two assists in 22 games.

Thornton took a puck to the face on Saturday and needed stitches to repair the damage. After being stitched up, he returned to play 17:39 (averages 18:40) recording an assist in the Sharks shootout win. He will be in the lineup tonight to take on the Leafs, so get him in your lineup because he is second in the league with assists (25) and tied for eighth in points (29).

Orlov was recalled from Hershey this morning and will be in the lineup tonight vs. the Islanders. He has three goals and nine points in 11 games with Hershey. In 65 career NHL games he has 20 points (3G / 17A).

Orlov has been recalled on numerous occasions this season, but has yet to make an appearance on the Capitals blueline. He has three goals and nine points in 11 games with Hershey.

Reaves has been more known as the energy guy who pumps up home crowd with bone-crunching hits and dropping the gloves than his scoring ability. He had started carving out a permanent role in the Blues lineup, but will now sit for a month and give way to Magnus Paajarvi.

Orlov has yet to dress for the Caps this season but has three goals and nine points in 10 games with Hershey. He will likely make his season debut on Wednesday vs. Ottawa.

Skinner played 17:56 with two shots in his first game back from an upper-body injury. Skinner skated with Eric Staal for the first time in his career, but he has already been dropped to the third line with rookie Elias Lindholm and veteran Radek Dvorak for this afternoon's contest.

Skinner, 21, has missed the Hurricanes’ last 11 games with an upper body injury sustained in the team’s game on October 24 at Minnesota. Prior to suffering the injury, Skinner led the Hurricanes in scoring with nine points (3G / 6A) in 10 games, and his plus-5 rating ranks first on the team. He is expected to skate on the top-line with Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty.

Skinner is skating with the top-line for the second straight day, a good sign he could be back tonight. We will update when head coach Kirk Muller talks to the media following the morning skate.