Sharks' DeMelo wearing a cast, out at least ‘a few weeks'

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CALGARY – Sharks defenseman Dylan DeMelo is out indefinitely after getting slashed in the right wrist area on Tuesday in Edmonton. The 23-year-old is wearing a cast, and the extent of the damage won’t be known until the Sharks return to San Jose following Wednesday night’s game with the Flames.

“We don’t have [anything] official until he gets home and gets pictures and things, but it looks like it’s going to be a few weeks, anyway,” coach Pete DeBoer said.

DeMelo was whacked by Edmonton's Zack Kassian, on a play that DeBoer said "wasn't anything dirty" after the Sharks' 5-3 win.

In 14 games with the Sharks, DeMelo has one goal and three assists for four points and an even rating. He was a healthy scratch for the first 19 games of the season, as the Sharks iced the same six defenseman for the first month-and-a-half.

DeMelo’s injury could open the door for 25-year-old Tim Heed, who has yet to make his NHL debut. The Goteborg, Sweden native was signed as a free agent on May 24, 2016 and in 27 games with the Barracuda he posted nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points and a plus-eight rating. Heed was tied for first in scoring among AHL defensemen at the time of his recall on Jan. 5.

DeBoer spoke about him that morning.

“I thought right from training camp he came in, had a great camp. He’s a veteran guy, you can tell he’s played in the pro league over in Sweden. Transitioned to the American League, and he’s been one of the best defensemen there and one of the highest scoring defensemen there. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do.”

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In 52 games for Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish league last season, Heed had eight goals and 15 assists, tied for 11th in scoring among defensemen. The five-foot-11, 175-pounder was originally drafted in the Ducks in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Mirco Mueller also remains with the Sharks, while David Schlemko is on injured reserve with an upper body injury, and did not travel on the two-game Sharks road trip through Alberta.

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