San Jose Sharks: Tomas Hertl to Start Skating, Matt Tennyson Called Up

Nov 2, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period against the Phoenix Coyotes at SAP Center at San Jose. Phoenix Coyotes won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

As the San Jose Sharks begin their post-Olympic schedule, injuries remain a focal point of concern.

Logan Couture and Raffi Torres are expected to return from long-term injuries on Thursday against the Flyers, but the Sharks are still down two of their regular players: defenseman Brad Stuart and forward Tomas Hertl.

Hertl remains out for the foreseeable future after he was injured knee-on-knee collision with the Kings’ Dustin Brown on Dec. 19. The original prognosis was that he would be out for a month, but after undergoing surgery, he appears to be out long term and there is no timetable for his return.

However, as Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports, Hertl is with the team in Philadelphia, and he could start skating this week. This is obviously a step in the right direction, but when he returns to the ice for a game remains to be seen.

Stuart, who will miss at least a week with an upper body injury, did not make the trip with the team to Philadelphia. In 51 games this season, he has recorded three goals and six assists. 

To replace Stuart, the Sharks have called up defenseman Matt Tennyson from Worcester. He has been called up before this season, but did not see any playing time. He had a cup of coffee last season with the Sharks, appearing in four games. Tennyson has five goals and 11 assists in 44 games with Worcester.