SAN JOSE — After spending the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft on the sidelines, the Sharks will return to the table at the United Center in Chicago Friday night, adding an opening-round selection to a talented pool of prospects that includes Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Marcus Sorensen.
The Sharks traded away their 2016 first-round pick in July 2015 to acquire goalie Martin Jones, a move that helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final last season. The AHL Barracuda validated the decision this spring by advancing to the final four of the 2017 Calder Cup playoffs with the second-youngest roster in the league, proving that the Sharks had the organization depth to give away their top pick last year.