The Sharks reassigned four players to their AHL affiliate ahead of the NHL All-Star break this weekend.
Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc, Barclay Goodrow and Tim Heed are all on their way to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they will meet the Barracuda for their game against the Griffins Friday night. On Saturday, the Barracuda visit the Milwaukee Admirals.
The move is consistent with how the Sharks have handled their young players that are still attempting to prove they are NHL regulars.
Labanc, for example, was previously reassigned to the Barracuda when San Jose had a rare four-day break in its schedule in early December. While the regulars had a full weekend off, Labanc got on a plane to San Antonio on Dec. 3. He was recalled three days later.
"I don't think any of these young guys have arrived yet, where they're ready for weekends off. If they can play hockey, they're going to play hockey," DeBoer said on Dec. 6.
Labanc has 14 points (7g, 7a) in 37 games, although he hasn't scored in his last 13. Meier has four points (2g, 2a) in 18 games. Goodrow and Heed have each played one NHL game this season.
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The Sharks resume their schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 1 against Chicago.
