It’s Timo Time for the Sharks.
Timo Meier, the Swiss winger taken ninth overall in 2015, has been recalled from San Jose’s AHL affiliate -- the Barracuda -- and will join the team on its current Eastern Canada road swing, per the Gackle Report.
Meier, 20, leads the Barracuda in goals this year, with nine, and sits third on the team in points. That production is quite impressive, given this is his first season of professional hockey -- he’d spent the last three years tearing it up in the QMJHL, and representing Switzerland at the world juniors.
Meier is San Jose’s highest draft pick since Logan Couture went ninth overall in 2007. Ironically, Couture could be the guy Meier replaces in the lineup, after he received a nasty cross-check to the head from Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman last night.
The Sharks play tomorrow in Montreal, which could be where Meier makes his long-awaited debut. There was talk he would’ve made the team out of training camp, but a bout of mononucleosis kept him off ice for a considerable length of time.
San Jose has had good success with AHL recalls this season. Kevin Labanc was brought up in November and has fared well, with six points through 17 games.