Sharks' Tomas Hertl: Bumped down to third line

Hertl was bumped from the top line to the third line in Monday's practice, Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area reports.

Analysis:

It appears that Hertl's demotion on the depth chart is less to do with his play and more to get newcomer Mikkel Boedker going-- who's moving from the second line to Hertl's previous spot with Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton on the top line. Hertl actually had a modest three-game point streak on the go before the Sharks were shut out by the Red Wings on Saturday, while Boedker has just a single point and four shots on goal across six contests thus far. As noted in the report, Hertl will be playing center for the first time since last January when he was moved to the left wing with studs Pavelski and Thornton. He'll be flanked by Patrick Marleau and Matt Nieto on the wings, which is a decent assignment but pales in comparison to the cushy role with Jumbo Joe and Little Joe. With that in mind, owners should probably brace themselves for a dip in production from the 22-year-old Czech.