CSN California beat writer Kevin Kurz reports that the gritty and versatile Jim Vandermeer is expected to skate on the Sharks fourth line in place of John McCarthy as the Sharks kick off their season-long nine-game road trip on Sunday night in St. Louis.
Vandermeer gets back in the lineup but will dress as a forward. He has three assists through 14 games.
Jim Vandermeer was one of the last players off the ice, though, so it doesn’t look as if he’ll get a chance to play against the team whose jersey he wore last season.
Vandermeer is healthy enough to play but will watch from the press box. He has three assists through 10 games.
McLellan says Vandermeer "99 percent" healthy and it "would be nice" to get him in a game before the All-Star break. #SJSharks
With the injury to Jason Demers, the Sharks could use some depth on their back end. While Vandermeer will add some physicality into the mix, he has no fantasy hockey value.
Murray left, but Vandermeer felt good enough to stay on and practice with his teammates as he battles through a broken left hand.
Read more: Vandermeer closer to a return
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In the meantime, the team has used Colin White in every game. Expect the two to rotate onto the third defensive pairing when fully healthy.