SAN JOSE – The Sharks assigned winger Adam Raska to the Barracuda on Thursday and claimed another, Jonah Gadjovich, off of waivers.
Gadjovich, 22, was waived by the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday. He played 100 games over the last three seasons with their AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, collecting 45 points and 81 penalty minutes.
The Sharks also assigned goalie Alexei Melnichuk to the AHL as James Reimer returned to practice Thursday.
Gadjovich has played one NHL game, as he made his debut last season on May 16 in a game against the Calgary Flames. He played just 4:55 but collected 17 minutes in penalties after he got into a fight with Calgary’s Connor Mackey. Gadjovich got five minutes for fighting and an extra 12 minutes for instigating.
Gadjovich could fill a role similar to that of winger Jeffrey Viel, who was hurt in a fight in Monday’s game with the Anaheim Ducks and has yet to practice with the team this week. Viel started to skate after the team’s practice Thursday and is considered day-to-day, coach Bob Boughner said.
Raska, 20, had made a positive impression with the Sharks’ coaching staff throughout camp, playing the agitator role otherwise lacking on the team’s roster. But if Raska was going to start the season with the Sharks, it likely would have meant putting another forward such as Dylan Gambrell or Lane Pederson on waivers.
Given his sandpaper style, Raska, 20, could be someone that the Sharks bring back to the NHL at some point this season.
Without Gadjovich, the Sharks now have 27 players in camp. Their last preseason game is Saturday at home against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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