Dell takes first step in securing backup goalie job
SAN JOSE >> Pete DeBoer is adamant that the Sharks are treating the first week of training camp as an opportunity to acclimate themselves to his systems. He’s looking at structure, pace and details, not individual performances.
With that in mind, the Sharks gave their coach exactly what he wanted to see as they smothered the Anaheim Ducks 5-0 in their preseason debut at the SAP Center on Tuesday.
The Sharks dominated the possession game, outshooting the Ducks 3624 and out-attempting them 78-35. Twelve different players found their way onto the scoresheet and the team implemented DeBoer’s defensive structure to a tee, limiting the Ducks to 17 even-strength shots on goal.
“That’s about as good as it gets from a coaching point of view,” DeBoer said. “A shutout win, we scored some goals, goaltending was excellent, so it was a good day. We’ve got a lot of work to
do, but I thought the young guys really played hard.”
Before you get too excited though, keep in mind, the Ducks sent out a lineup consisting of mostly minor leaguers and junior hockey players. Forwards Rickard Rakell and Nick Ritchie and defensemen Brandon Montour and Josh Manson were the only NHL regulars in the Ducks lineup. 1. DELL TIGHTENS HIS GRIP ON THE BACKUP GOALIE JOB
>> With the re-signing of AHL goalie of the year Troy Grosenick in the offseason, DeBoer made it clear at the Sharks morning practice that goalie Aaron Dell isn’t a slam dunk to be Martin Jones’ backup again this year, saying, “as good a season as Deller had, he’s got to do it again or he’s got somebody right there.”
But Dell tightened his grip on the backup goalie job, pitching a 24-save shutout in his first appearance of the season. He made a nifty-glove save on a shot from the slot in the first, he caught a tricky redirection in the second and he stopped Ritchie with a pad save on a rebound from the doorstep in the third.
Dell also showed once more that he can be dropped into the blue paint at any time and perform as if he’s started five games in a row. Last year, he often went two to three weeks in between starts and the work stoppages never seemed to phase him.
“He looks like he’s picked up where he left off last year,” DeBoer said.
“I’m just trying to build off last year and keep going from there,” Dell said. 2. TIM HEED FLASHES HIS SKILLS >> If the Sharks want more offense from the blue line, they caught a glimpse of where they can find it. Heed showed off the offensive skills that allowed him to collect 56 points in 55 games with the AHL Barracuda last year, collecting a pair of primary assists against the Ducks.
Heed set up the Sharks first goal with 10 seconds to play in the opening frame, springing forward Filip Sandberg for a breakaway by threading the needle with a stretch pass through the neutral zone. He earned his second point on the power play, where the Sharks are in desperate need of an offensive catalyst for the second unit, in the middle period, setting up Mikkel Boedker’s goal
from the left circle.
“I try to play a solid game overall,” Heed said. “I start with defense and breaking the puck out. Then, if I can join the play offensively and put up points, that’s a bonus.”
Heed’s offense would certainly be a bonus for the Sharks, who didn’t have a single defenseman other than Brent Burns score more than six goals or reach the 30-point mark last season.
3. PROSPECTS DELIVER >> The race is just getting started. All of the prospects vying for the open roster spots at forward that were dressed Tuesday found a way to contribute in the win. Kevin Labanc scored from the crease in the second. Danny O’Regan found the top shelf from the high slot earlier in the frame and he also picked up an assist on Labanc’s goal. Barclay Goodrow earned a pair of assists, and Ryan Carpenter picked up an apple on the Sharks final tally.
“It was a good solid effort,” DeBoer said.