Sharks to scratch heavy-minute defenseman vs. Blue Jackets

SAN JOSE – Defenseman Jake Walman will be a scratch for the first time this season Tuesday when the San Jose Sharks face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth game of a five-game homestand.

Walman is dealing with a minor upper-body injury incurred in the first period of Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. But coach Ryan Warsofsky said it was his decision to scratch Walman, who leads all Sharks defensemen with nine points and is second among all skaters in average time on ice (22:42).

Rookie Jack Thompson will dress instead of Walman as the Sharks look to improve their record on this homestand to 3-1-0. The Sharks host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, then begin a four-game road trip against Metropolitan Division teams.

Warsofsky said he and Walman talked about the decision but did not wish to elaborate to reporters on why he’s making a change.

Walman was hurt by a body check by Canucks forward Brock Boeser late in the first period Saturday as he went shoulder-first into the boards to the left of the Sharks’ net. Walman left the ice and returned to the Sharks’ dressing room, but came back to the bench shortly after the start of the second period.

Walman, who finished with 20:35 in ice time on Saturday, took part in practice on Monday. Forwards Klim Kostin and Givani Smith will also be scratched against the Blue Jackets, who have lost three of their last five games before Tuesday.

“I’m a competitor, and I want to play, but it’s a coach’s decision,” Walman said Tuesday morning. “I’ll respect the conversation that we had. I wouldn’t say it doesn’t have anything to do with the injury. I don’t know if (Warsofsky) talked about that, but I wouldn’t be in this position without that, obviously.

“I was on the ice for practice (Monday) in hopes of playing. But it’s a coach’s decision. I feel good about my game, and I’m a competitor. I want to be out there.”

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