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The optics weren’t particularly good. “Just so happens, I’ve fought every other game, so it’s part of my role,” said Haley.

Hendricks said earlier in the week that if the Sharks were to call up a fighter to try and gain a pound of flesh from the rookie Nurse, he wouldn’t like it, at all. He said the Oilers’ defenceman rookie should avoid that confrontation. “That has nothing to do with the game,” said Hendricks.

FAMILY GATHERING

Todd McLellan’s hockey-playing son Tyson, who had 25 points in 46 games for Madison Capitols in the USHL this season, was at the rink Thursday.

He just had shoulder surgery. The 20-year-old centre who wears No. 88, is off to University of Connecticutt next season to play in Hockey East.

Todd’s other boy, Cale, a high-school sophomore is one of the best young golfers in the Bay Area. He had back-to-back holes-in-one at a tournament in 2014.

ART OF THE DEAL

The Sharks are paying $40 million to their top seven players, which doesn’t leave much for anybody else.

Jumbo Joe Thornton makes $6.75 million, Patty Marleau $6.666 mil, Joe Pavelski and Logan Couture $6 mil, and defencemen Paul Martin $4.85 mil and Marc-Eduoard Vlasic $4.25 mil. Pavelski is underpaid by about $1 million off his stats (113 goals the last three years), Couture a tad overpaid because he’s only had two seasons over 60 points.

Jumbo, who has 1,329 points in 1,358 career games and is a slam-dunk Hall of Famer, is having a terrific season at 36 (37 in July) with 70 points and a plus 27 rating. Last year he had 65 points and was minus 4. He’s 31st in career points, and well within reach of Brendan Shanahan (No. 25, 1,354 all-time).

He has one year left on his contract, as does Marleau, and many think Thornton will sign another short deal with the Sharks, maybe even going one year at a time like Joe Sakic towards the end.

BUG BEATEN

Maroon was back after missing Tuesday’s game with the flu. “Feels good to sweat again after laying in your bed for three days,” said Maroon, after the morning skate. “I know I’ll have to keep my shifts short and not over-extend them. Hopefully, my energy is upbeat.”

jmatheson@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @NHLbyMatty