A few questions about a certain former first round pick in today’s mailbag…
It seems like Timo [Meier] is starting to get up to speed in the AHL. When do you think we see him make his debut with the #SJSharks? (Mike Vetrone @washyourrhands)
Is it Timo's Time'o? (Bill Frederick)
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Timo Meier has been heating up. In the most recent Barracuda game in San Antonio on Sunday, Meier had a pair of goals and a game-high seven shots. That extended his point streak to four games, with five goals, three assists and 19 shots over that span. He leads the team with eight goals and is tied for second with 14 points.
Meier needed to work on his north-south game when he first got to the AHL, but those numbers certainly indicate he’s figuring it out. I’d be surprised if the Sharks aren’t thinking about bringing him up, and soon.
On a related note, I was a bit startled that Kevin Labanc was reassigned over the weekend. I thought he had done enough lately to remain, especially when you consider that the team is winning games, and coaches don’t like to mess with a winning lineup (although the move does save the club some salary cap money).
Perhaps it’s a sign, though, that they’re going to recall Meier shortly. The Sharks will need at least one more forward for their upcoming four-game road trip that begins next week in Toronto, and it could be time to give Meier a shot. At this point, and with the way Pete DeBoer seems to be constantly shuffling his lines, it may make sense to try him as the second line right wing with Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi on the left, while bumping Joel Ward down to the third line with Chris Tierney and either Mikkel Boedker or Melker Karlsson.
San Jose Sharks
Any chance [Mikkel] Boedker sits out any games to try and get his game going? Playing every game does not seem to do it. (Jim Kelley)
Boedker has responded a bit in his last few games since getting benched late against the Ducks on Nov. 26. He got his first two assists in wins over the Coyotes and Kings, and showed his speed on one rush against Montreal on Saturday, wheeling around the net and firing a wrist shot that Carey Price snagged in the second period.
The next few weeks are going to be important for the 26-year-old. This is obviously a deeper team than the Sharks have had in some time, with guys like Meier and Labanc on their way, Boedker could get pushed out of the lineup if he doesn’t bring it every night.
Will we see [Aaron] Dell more? (nowangel @Sharks_Division)
Looking at the week ahead, I would imagine he gets the Hurricanes on Saturday at home when you consider his strong game in Carolina on Nov. 15. That will be the second of a back-to-back for the Sharks, and it allows Martin Jones to rest before the upcoming (and difficult) four-game trip to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Chicago. I could see Jones starting all of those, including the back-to-back against Toronto next Tuesday and Ottawa on Wednesday.
After that, perhaps the game against the Flyers on Dec. 30 – before a New Year’s Eve meeting with the Kings at Staples Center – is another good time to get Dell in there.
Do you think [Dylan] DeMelo will get into the rotation more to give some guys rest? (Jack Merridew @Maroon_1001)
DeMelo has played well in his two appearances, considering the circumstances, but I don’t really see a situation where they would play him unless someone else is hurt. Keep in mind, the Sharks are leading the NHL in goals-against per game (2.04) and give up the second-fewest shots per game (26.2). There’s just no reason to mess with the blue line if you don’t have to.