It was a testy Brent Thompson this morning. Didn’t catch any massive outbursts, but stopping to skate ’em, little things: Yep. Practices the day after a day off are typically longer, but this one seemed even longer than that. See how this week goes.
No NHL debut for Ryan Pulock tonight (Blame Springfield). In his absence, the immediate plan, Thompson said, is to stick with the seven defensemen they’ve got. (Well, six eligible for Friday, but just for Friday, as that’s Game 3 of 3 for Mayfield’s suspension.) But it’s hockey, and that could change in an instant.
Carter Verhaeghe was back in real-boy colors — actually, first-line gold, as a fourth with Sebastian Collberg, Bracken Kearns and Taylor Beck. (Collberg’s 22nd birthday. Had to run the gauntlet after practice.) It was Verhaeghe’s first day of contact.
Elsewhere, Raffi Torres was traded to Toronto, though he stays with San Jose. Only in the new American League, kids. (NHL rights from the Sharks to the Leafs; rather than join the Marlies, he stays with the Barracuda. For what it’s worth — and I know, it’s little — Torres has played three pretty-full AHL seasons and been to two Calder Cup Finals.)