DENVER –- Early last season, Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon was in a similar situation as Roman Polak, coming to San Jose from Dallas and immediately trying to fit in.
He’ll be paired with the newest Sharks blueliner on Wednesday in Colorado, returning from a six-game absence with an upper body injury. How will he and Polak make sure they’re on the same page?
“Just talk, communication,” Dillon said. “I’ve been there before coming into a fresh environment, you don’t really know too many guys. The biggest thing is to just get into it, don’t have too many practices where you’re thinking about too many things.
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SIGN UP HERE “He’s a good player that is going to come into an environment that’s very welcoming - a good group of guys that want to win. We’re in a good spot right now, but we want to keep this going.”
Polak recognizes the challenge, too.
“It’s going to be tough, because we didn’t play together ever. So we just need to talk a lot on the ice, keep it simple. I think we’ll be OK,” he said.
Nick Spaling will also make his Sharks debut, slotting in on the left side of the fourth line with center Chris Tierney and right wing Dainius Zubrus.
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Coach Pete DeBoer expects Spaling to be a guy that can play in all kinds of different situations and create some internal competition.
“He’s a guy that can jump up to a second line if someone’s not getting the job done,” said DeBoer, who coached the forward in juniors. “For me, the strength of our team is going to be the fact we’re going to have a group of five or six forwards there, that if you’re contributing, you’re going to play, and if you’re not, there’s going to be guys knocking on the door to take your job.”
Tommy Wingels skated on Wednesday and remains out with an upper body injury, but he’s expected to return shortly. That will leave DeBoer with some difficult decisions to make regarding who is in and who is relegated to the press box.
“Those are going to be some really tough calls here going forward,” DeBoer said. “That’s the price of playing on a quality team, is everyone has got to sacrifice a little bit of ice time, and everybody has got to fight to keep the ice time that they’re getting. From a coaching perspective, that’s what you want.”
Both Polak and Spaling, who arrived in Denver around midnight last night, are eager to join the playoff race coming from Toronto, which is in a full rebuild. The Sharks trail the Anaheim Ducks by one point for second plance in the Pacific Division, and both clubs are in action tonight.
“Obviously, they’re playing really well right now,” Spaling said. “I’m excited to be able to help out wherever I can, and just become a part of the team.”
Polak said: “It’s kind of a better feeling to be here and just playing for something.”
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The Sharks would like to get both Polak and Spaling involved on the penalty kill, especially Polak, who could help reduce some of Brent Burns’ substantial minutes. The Wookiee leads San Jose and is fifth in the NHL in ice time per game (26:33), and has played more than 27 minutes in seven straight.
“If we can ease a little bit of Burnzie’s penalty killing minutes by bringing Roman in, that’s something,” DeBoer said.
“I think Burnzie has handled the ice time we’ve given him exceptionally well. He doesn’t look fatigued. He’s such a great skater and such a powerful guy, but if we can ease his load by even a minute a night by taking some of the heavy lifting on the penalty kill away from him, I think he’ll be better for it.”
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The Sharks have played some of their best and most exciting games in road trip finales this season.
They erased a two-goal third period deficit in Columbus on Nov. 22 at the end of a six-game trip; downed the rival Kings on Dec. 22 at the end of a five-gamer, and most recently shut out Chicago on Feb. 9 in the last of a four-game trip coming out of the All-Star break.
“We talk about just sticking with it, and not to start thinking too far in advance,” Patrick Marleau said. “Staying on the road trip, not thinking you’re heading home that night, and playing hard.”
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Sharks defenseman Matt Tennyson is still suffering from the effects of hitting his head on the glass and ice courtesy of a bad hit from St. Louis’ Ryan Reaves. He remains with the team, but was not at the morning skate.
“I think yesterday wasn’t a great day for him,” DeBoer said. “Nothing terrible, but just wasn’t feeling great yesterday.”
Reaves has a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday, and likely faces a suspension.