September 30, 2025<\/a><\/p>\nBut this was a test too, and for Warsofsky, Dellandrea more than passed.<\/p>\n
That is, for now.<\/p>\n
Opening night still seems far away, and if the San Jose Sharks start the season with teenage forward Michael Misa and defenseman Sam Dickinson on the roster, Dellandrea could still be the odd man out.<\/p>\n
The favorites for the 13 or 14 opening night forward spots are, in alphabetical order, Adam Gaudette, Alex Wennberg, Barclay Goodrow, Carl Grundstrom, Collin Graf, Jeff Skinner, Macklin Celebrini, Michael Misa, Philipp Kurashev, Ryan Reaves, Ty Dellandrea, Tyler Toffoli, Will Smith, and William Eklund.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s 14 forwards.<\/p>\n
Egor Afanasyev, Ethan Cardwell, Quentin Musty, Zack Ostapchuk, and Pavol Regenda appear to be more on the bubble.<\/p>\n
In Dellandrea\u2019s favor, he\u2019s just 25, and can play center and wing. He\u2019s a pending RFA with just a $1.3 million AAV.<\/p>\n
If the Sharks, however, opt to start the season with eight defensemen, a distinct possibility because of the presence of Dickinson, then that means one of the projected top-14 forwards will be left out in the cold.<\/p>\n
Could it be the waiver-exempt Graf? Pending UFA Grundstrom and his $1.8 million AAV? Despite what some Sharks fans want, it\u2019s not likely to be Goodrow or Reaves.<\/p>\n
Anyway, games like tonight, it won\u2019t be Dellandrea.<\/p>\n
\u201cKudos to him,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cThe way he played tonight, he knew [he was on the bubble].\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan Warsofsky<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Ty Dellandrea:<\/p>\n
Best game I\u2019ve seen Delly play. Probably since we\u2019ve had him. I think he was one of the best players on the ice tonight, winning faceoffs, played the wing, penalty kill. Did it all. Was using his legs, was being physical. Had good details. Thought he was really good tonight.<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t love his first game. You chalk it up as a first game [after a long layoff].<\/p>\n
He knows. He ain\u2019t stupid. He knows that his job is on the line, really. I can tell you how it is. That is the truth. Kudos to him. The way he played tonight, he knew it. Played an outstanding game.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Kasper Halttunen:<\/p>\n
He was good. He had his moments. Started protecting pucks there. Thought he had a couple good ones in the second period.
Pace is really high, so he\u2019s gotta have to get used to that. But had his moments. You see some potential. He\u2019s got a lot of work to do<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on Luca Cagnoni:<\/p>\n
Had some good moments, thought he had a slow start.<\/p>\n
His bread-and-butter is breaking out pucks and making the right reads and executing. Thought he was inconsistent with that.<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on if he\u2019s seen improvement in Cagnoni defensively:<\/p>\n
Big time, big time, he\u2019s been a lot better defensively, one-on-one\u2019s down low, below the top of the circles. He\u2019s been<\/p>\n
Warsofsky, on other San Jose Sharks players who stood out:<\/p>\n
Thought [Pavol Regenda] had some good moments.<\/p>\n
I thought Laberge stuck out times, brought his identity.<\/p>\n
Luca Cagnoni<\/p>\n
Cagnoni, on winning one-on-one battles:<\/p>\n
Yeah, as long as they don\u2019t get the puck, I\u2019m happy with the battle. (laughs)<\/p>\n
If I just get good body positioning on them, I\u2019m a pretty stocky guy, so not too easy to push around. If I get body positioning, I think I can win most battles.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Kasper Halttunen<\/p>\n
Halttunen, on how he could\u2019ve been better tonight:<\/p>\n
I just try to kind of bring my game out there, shoot some pucks. I feel like that\u2019s where I can be a little better, have some poise, make some better plays offensively.<\/p>\n
Bring that offensive dangerousness that I have in my game and use my shot more.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Pavol Regenda<\/p>\n
Regenda, on Warsofsky\u2019s praise for him throughout camp:<\/p>\n
I just try to bring the competitive level there, try to be physical. Go 100% everyday. If I want to fight for a spot in an NHL team, there are more skill guys, better guys with a better shot\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been playing PK. I\u2019ve been playing like kind of defensive role. I think that\u2019s a good way to get in the NHL and stay there\u2026<\/p>\n
It\u2019s my fourth year now, first year I just came here, kid from Slovakia. I didn\u2019t know what the hell is going on. Some of the guys thought I was cocky or something. Every year, I grow on the ice, but I would say I grow more off the ice.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t