CALGARY, Alberta — Pete DeBoer is accustomed to watching his Sharks team battle through the fatigue that comes with the most arduous travel schedule in the NHL.
That’s why he didn’t hesitate to send the AHL Barracuda up to Canada Tuesday to take on the Calgary Flames.
With a morning practice in San Jose followed by a two-and-a-half flight to Calgary, the Sharks recalled 14 players for their fourth preseason game, giving the likes of Joe Thornton, Brent Burns and Evander Kane a night off. The only NHL regulars who dressed were Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc, Aaron Dell, Joakim Ryan, Barclay Goodrow, Marcus Sorensen and Melker Karlsson, who suited up for his first preseason game after being sidelined by an upper-body injury.