Raffi Torres Expected To Return For San Jose Sharks
Apr 30, 2014; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks left wing Raffi Torres (13) passes the puck against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period in game seven of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. The Kings defeated the Sharks 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Raffi Torres hasn’t laced up his skates for the San Jose Sharks since the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs. Two ACL surgeries later, it appears that Torres is finally ready to return to the Sharks lineup for the 2015-16 season.
According to general manager Doug Wilson, Torres shouldn’t have any restrictions when training camp rolls around; however, he did caution as to what to expect from Torres.
As Wilson relayed to Kevin Kurz of Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area, the Sharks won’t be getting Torres at full strength.
"“Is it 100 percent? No, it’s not. Do we think he’s going to come back? Yeah, we do, but we’re realists.” – Doug Wilson"
Torres, 33, will be looking to complete his first full season with the Sharks after inking a three-year, $6M contract in 2013. Since that point, Torres has appeared in just 16 games with San Jose but he’s been a very effective player during his short stints on the ice.
In those 16 appearances, Torres has posted five goals and six assists, while being a plus-five and averaging 12:50 of ice time. He offers versatility in being able to move up-and-down the lineup. He can play on the second line, or move down to his regular third-line role. Also, Torres excels at getting in and creating havoc on the forecheck, something the Sharks were desperately missing a season ago.
Basically, San Jose should be able to count on Torres being in the lineup next season. They might need to manage his minutes and games, but if they can get a majority of the season, and hopefully a playoff run from Torres, that should be a success for the Sharks.