Ben Shelley: Sharks reveal opening night roster

Eklund will play the first 9 games to evealuate how he does under real playing conditions; as opposed to the pre-season nonsense, and then a decison will be made as to keep him or send him down and preserve the 3rd year on the contract. That worked for Hertl and Meierin their development; plus the Sharks have long lamented that by rushing Pat Falloon they short circuited his potential and career.
I'm not surprised by the Gambrell decision as he has long been a disappointment. Middleton looked more confident and in better shape this pre season so while he may be the odd man out when Khnyzhov returns, he should be a more competent 3D this year. Don't sleep on Brinson Pasichnuk. Now that his health issues are on the mend he has the potential to be a second pairing D Man.
Weatherby has earned his spot on the roster and he is another one to watch for the first 9 games. The Nieto contract may be an indictment of the play expected of Leonard ..and Gregor for that matter..where would you slot Leonard in? Barabanov and Balcers have earned their spots ahead of him as have Dahlen and Eklund so perhaps as a replacement for Nieto skill wise but he would get limited time on the 4th line and that wouldn't necessarily help his development...

plus the Sharks have long lamented that by rushing Pat Falloon they short circuited his potential and career.

The Sharks won't admit it but they blew that pick of Falloon. #3 Scott Neidmayer & #6 Peter Forsberg.
They should of taken Neidmayer & start building the team from the Defense/Goalie out. Just like in Baseball, Pitching & Defense wins games & in Hockey Goaltending & defense wins games.
That's why they are were they are.

They didn’t sign Ryan Donato who is currently on an 82 goal pace for the season.