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Longest Tenured Sharks Defenseman To Make Season Debut Against Lightning

max miller
·2 min read

After officially rejoining San Jose Sharks practice on Nov. 18, defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic will make his season debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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"I'm excited to get back," Vlasic said. "[I'm] looking forward to it, looking to bring some energy, helping the guys on the ice. I'm happy I'm back."

Vlasic participated in morning skate and was on a pair with Jan Rutta. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters that conditioning was the biggest hurdle for Vlasic's return to the lineup.

"He's got to keep it simple and move pucks and defend with a purpose," Warsofsky said. "I just thought his conditioning was better the last week here. [That] was probably the biggest thing."

Vlasic played 56 games last season and had six goals and six assists. He is joining a San Jose Sharks team on an eight-game losing streak and a 1-10-1 stretch.

"I'm sure I'll have [some excitement] tonight in warm-up," Vlasic said. "It's still a morning skate, but when I jump on for warm-up, and then probably my first shift, I'll feel like, hey, my first game in a while."

Vlasic told reporters he was dealing with a shoulder issue that he may never feel 100%, but it is at a level where he can play.

"Well, normal. I don't know if it'll ever be normal, but I'm at a point where I'm in the lineup, so I can deal with it," Vlasic said.

Vlasic is entering his 19th season in the NHL and is in the second to last year of an 8-year, $56 million contract.

"I still enjoy it. I put myself through a grind the last four months, but it's all worth it. I love playing the game. I love practicing, and it's worth it. I'm starting my 19th year on the ice tonight. I'm still having as much fun as I did my first year," Vlasic said. "I feel I [belong]. I'm in the lineup. I'm still playing in this league after 19 years. Gonna try to bring what I can bring, and what I worry about is what I can bring to the team and help them win. The rest is out of my control."

The Sharks need a strong defensive game against a Tampa Bay Lightning that beat them 8-1 on Dec. 5.

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