SAN JOSE -– Cue all those concerns about the Sharks’ lack of depth on defense again.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic will not play against the Tampa Bay Lightning with a lower body injury, and it’s unknown how much time the 28-year-old will miss. Mirco Mueller has been recalled from the Barracuda, so either he or rookie Dylan DeMelo will suit up on Saturday night.
A member of the 2014 Canadian Olympic team that won gold, Vlasic is the club’s best defensive defenseman. He’s second on the team in time on ice (23:07 per game), and has contributed 11 points (3g, 8a) thanks in part to some increased power play time.