Havlat shelved as Sharks open training camp

Team Teal was back at work Thursday morning as Sharks training camp opened in San Jose.

Most of the 44-man roster took the ice at the Sharks’ practice facility for their first scrimmage Friday, preparing for their first pre-season tilt on Monday at Vancouver.

The biggest name missing from the first day of camp was left wing Martin Havlat. The 12-year veteran will not be ready to play opening night at the Tank on October 3 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Havlat was made available for interview on Thursday, and told the media that his injured hip was feeling fine and that he had been doing some skating over the “last few weeks.”

Wilson was a little less committal when talking about Havlat’s status Wednesday before camp had started:

“Our goal is to get this player back 100 percent on top of his game.”

Havlat underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery in the offseason and could potentially start the season on injured reserve. The Merc reported Havlat skated earlier in the week.

Havlat had reportedly met with general manager Doug Wilson and Sharks training staff on Wednesday to map out a plan to get back to full health. However, no definitive return date has been set.

Since coming to San Jose two years ago in a deal that sent Dany Heatley to the Minnesota Wild, Havlat has missed a total of 51 games due to a variety of injuries. In 79 games over the last two seasons, Havlat registered 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists).

The 32-year-old winger was sidelined during the first period of the first game in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs  against the Vancouver Canucks—a series in which San Jose swept the northern foe in four games.

Havlat returned briefly in Game 3 of the second round against the Los Angeles Kings, only to exit for good in the first period.

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