Sharks' Vlasic will return Saturday

San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is expected to return to the lineup Saturday when his team hosts the Nashville Predators, according to Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com.

"To be honest, we learned that we want him back," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan responded when asked what he'd learned about his blue-liner during Vlasic's brief one-game absence with an upper-body injury. 

"That’s not a shot at the rest of them. Marc-Edouard is just that solid, he means that much to our team. His presence out there, the way he carries himself in the locker room, his ability to play in all situations. He’s essential. But, the fact that we could pinch hit without him is a real positive."

Vlasic leads all Sharks players in short-handed minutes logged per game, and plays on the Sharks' top-pairing at even strength. He'll be tasked with a tough assignment Saturday, as he's likely to be matched up primarily against the Predators' potent top-line of James Neal, Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg.