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San Jose Sharks News And Notes – Hertl Won’t Need Surgery

By Patrick Leiva

Jun 1, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) controls the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) in the third period in game two of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl (48) controls the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (58) in the third period in game two of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at Consol Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Jose got some good news regarding injured forward Tomas Hertl, while Las Vegas has already released their Stanley Cup odds for next year.

The San Jose Sharks wasted very little time in gathering together for the last time. One day after falling in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final and seeing their dreams crushed, team teal held their clean out day as they tried to put the wild ride of the past two months into perspective.

One particular news item that emerged from the day was the status of 22-year-old forward Tomas Hertl. As I’m sure everyone is aware, Hertl missed the last four games of the Cup Finals with a knee injury which was sustained late in Game 2.

According to Kevin Kurz of CSN California, Hertl will not require surgery on his right knee, the same one which Dustin Brown hit two years ago, as he described the injury as just a sprain.

While the Sharks could have used Hertl in the lineup, there’s some solace in the fact that he won’t need a second surgery on the same knee and should be ready to go next year.

Hertl really stepped up his game for San Jose. appearing in 81 of 82 games this year. He found instant success playing alongside Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. He finished the regular season with 21 goals, 25 assists, 46 points and a plus-16 rating, all career-highs.

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In the playoffs, Hertl helped form the most dangerous line in the Western Conference as his work with the two Joes allowed the Sharks to reach their first Stanley Cup Final in franchise history.

He concluded the playoffs with six goals and five assists in 20 games, and he was arguably their best forward during the first two games against the Penguins.

San Jose missed the offensive capabilities of Hertl and their depth was severely impacted with him out of the lineup.

It will be interesting to see if Hertl will be able to play for the Czech Republic in the World Cup of Hockey or if his knee will keep him out of action.

Hertl is a restricted free agent this summer and should see a nice raise from his entry-level deal. There shouldn’t be any doubts that Hertl will be in teal when the puck drops again in October.

Sharks Odds Next Year

After reaching the Cup Finals, San Jose and their fans want to get back there again. So, how does Vegas view team teal’s chances of ultimately winning the Cup next season?

According to Bovada, the Sharks are tied for the fifth-best odds to win the Stanley Cup at 14-1:

Obviously, no real surprises at the top as the Penguins, Blackhawks and Capitals were all very impressive teams in the regular season; and in the case of Pittsburgh, tremendous in their run to the Cup.

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For San Jose, it’s interesting to see them behind a team like the Blues which they handled fairly easily in the Western Conference finals. Also, seeing them with the same odds as the Kings is intriguing as Vegas is clearly banking on L.A. improving their team which was dispatched by San Jose in only five games.

It should make for an interesting offseason as the Sharks don’t have too many holes to fill, but do need some reinforcements in order to play hockey in June once again.

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