SAN JOSE — Sharks goalie Aaron Dell is still projected at the moment to be the backup to Martin Jones this season. There’s little question, though, that Dell needs a return to form after a disappointing year in 2018-19.

Dell, 30, had a 10-8-4 record and a .886 save percentage last season, a considerable drop-off from the numbers he posted the year before when he was 15-5-4 with a .914 save percentage.

Some of that, of course, had to do with the skaters around him and the more wide-open style the Sharks were incorporating. Still, Dell, now in the final year of a two-year contract extension he signed in Feb. 2018, posted consecutive wins in starts just twice all season.

Asked Sunday after the Sharks’ scrimmage if Dell is fighting for a job, coach Pete DeBoer said, “Aaron’s built up enough credibility with me that I know what he can do. Having said that, he needs to deliver. I’m going to give him every opportunity to show that he can get his game back to where I think it belongs. But, like everybody, that leash is only so long.”

DeBoer said the Sharks investigated all aspects of their game in the offseason, as goalie coach Johan Hedberg spent time with both Dell and Jones. Jones’ regular season numbers, as well, dropped off from the year before, although he largely shined in three playoff rounds. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

DeBoer said he doesn’t know just yet how much action Jones and Dell will get early in the preseason. The Sharks host Anaheim on Tuesday and fly to Calgary on Wednesday — a good time, it would seem, to get 2018-19 Barracuda goalies Antoine Bibeau and Josef Korenar some work.

DeBoer said the Sharks’ priority is getting Jones ready for the regular season opener Oct. 2 in Las Vegas, and will look to get Dell ready after that. Dell played one half in Sunday’s intra-squad scrimmage, allowing two goals but coming up with a nifty save on a Kevin Labanc shot from close range.

“Last year, one of the disappointing parts for me was I thought there was opportunity for Deller, like he had in the past, to really grab some momentum back for us,” DeBoer said. “Maybe the team was struggling, maybe Jonesy had an off week and in the past, Deller’s always kind of grabbed those opportunities and really run with them.

“I thought last year that he didn’t seize those opportunities as much. We’ve got to get him ready and be fair to him. But for me, I’m hopeful that he can play quite a few games there because I like the idea of having two fresh guys.”

Big collision

Brenden Dillon added a bit of spice to Sunday’s scrimmage when, just before the first half ended, stood up fellow defensemen Ryan Merkley at the blue line.

Merkley, the Sharks’ first round draft choice in 2018, was at the end of a shift when he carried the puck through the neutral zone and toward the offensive zone. Dillon saw that Merkley’s head was down and, well, instincts just sort of took over.

“For me, no matter who I’m playing with, physicality is going to be one of my things,” Dillon said. “I’m a bigger guy. I think it’s going to help me and Erik (Karlsson) have a little more space for things. At the same time, I pride myself on being able to skate and do some things, and Merkley kind of had his head down there.

“It’s camp for everybody, doesn’t matter if you’re a first round pick, first camp, whatever it might be.” For complete Sharks coverage

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Credit to Merkley, though, he still made the pass to Joachim Blichfeld to set up a scoring chance.

“I didn’t even know who it was in the beginning,” Merkley said, “luckily I hit Blichy there. But yeah, it was fun. I enjoy that stuff. It was good.”

Merkley and Team Teal won the scrimmage 7-2.

▪ Merkley said he doesn’t know quite yet what team he’ll land with once he’s back in the Ontario Hockey League. Peterborough is looking to trade Merkley after the Petes acquired him from Guelph last season. Rumored teams interested include London, Windsor and Saginaw. Sharks assistant coach Bob Boughner is one of Windsor’s team owners.

“I have a pretty good idea,” where he’ll end up, Merkley said. “I’m not worried about that. That will take care of itself whenever I get sent back I guess.”

Coaching responsibilities

▪ Speaking of Boughner, DeBoer provided some clarification on what his assistants roles will be. Boughner will be running the defensemen, as expected, and is on the bench with Steve Spott, who will again handle the power play. Dave Barr will run the penalty kill and will return to being the Sharks’ ‘eye in the sky.’

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Home sweet home? Giants, visitors at Oracle Park, tie franchise record in win DeBoer shuffled coaching responsibilities midway through last season, as Barr came down to the bench from the press box to work with the forward group. Spott then worked with the defensemen and former assistant Rob Zettler, who had been working with the defensemen, moved up top. Zettler was let go by the Sharks when Boughner was hired in the spring.

“There’s more interaction there than I think (the media) anticipates,” DeBoer said. “It’s not one guy. … There’s a lot of sharing of ideas and responsibilities.”