- Editor’s note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
BERLIN – “I don’t think so.”
That was David Quinn’s answer when asked if Alexander Barabanov or Markus Nutivaara could join the San Jose Sharks in Prague.
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That’s two line-up regulars already out for the season-opener, and I hadn’t had my first beer in Germany yet. In fact, for the Sharks, that’s a first-line winger and Erik Karlsson’s prospective top-pairing partner.
It’s not just about Barabanov (lower-body) and Nutivaara (lower-body), but the domino effect on the line-up. These were Quinn’s lines today:
Suddenly, prospective third-liner Luke Kunin is with Tomas Hertl and Timo Meier, fourth-liner Matt Nieto is playing up, and PTO tryout Scott Harrington is paired with Karlsson.