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Sharks healthy scratch struggling Boedker

San Jose Sharks v Arizona Coyotes

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 07: Mikkel Boedker #89 of the San Jose Sharks watches from the bench during the first period of the preseason NHL game against Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on October 7, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Mikkel Boedker, San Jose’s biggest free agent signing this past offseason, will be parked in the press box tonight when the Sharks host the Wild tonight, per CSN Bay Area.

It’s the lowest point of what’s been a disappointing campaign. The Danish speedster, who inked a four-year, $16 million deal on the opening day of free agency, has just two goals and eight points through 38 games this year, and had already been subjected to an in-game benching by head coach Peter DeBoer.

Expectations were high for Boedker at the start of the year. Coming off an impressive ’15-16 campaign, in which he scored 17 goals and tied a career high with 51 points, he was expected to add a new dimension to San Jose’s forward group. He’d previously played for DeBoer in OHL Kitchener, who praised Boedker’s “world class speed” upon bringing him aboard in July.

The coach’s tune has changed since then, however.

After sitting Boedker for the entire third period against Anaheim in late November, DeBoer said Boedker was “pissed off,” adding the move was “always a last resort.”

Apparently not the last resort.

DeBoer hasn’t been afraid to go the healthy scratch route this season. He’s done the same with veterans Joel Ward and David Schlemko already, in part because San Jose’s received solid contributions from a pair of rookie forwards: Kevin Labanc and Timo Meier.