SAN JOSE – When Tomas Hertl began his rookie season in 2013 as the left wing on Joe Thornton’s line, the thinking was that he would get his feet wet there before eventually transitioning to center.
That hasn’t happened yet, despite Hertl starting 35 of the Sharks’ first 38 games in the middle with mixed results. According to coach Pete DeBoer, though, Hertl’s experience playing center this year is what has allowed him to thrive in the past two months back at left wing.
And thrive he has. Hertl has 12 goals and eight assists for 20 points and a plus-17 rating in his last 26 games since moving back up to the Thornton line with right wing Joe Pavelski on Jan.