SAN JOSE – Defenseman Jake Walman will be scratched for the first time this season on Tuesday when the San Jose Sharks face the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fourth game of a five-game home series.

Walman is dealing with a minor upper-body injury he suffered in the first period of Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. But coach Ryan Warsofsky said it was his decision to eliminate Walman, who leads all Sharks defensemen with nine points and is second among all skaters in average ice time (22:42).

Rookie Jack Thompson will suit up in Walman’s place as the Sharks look to improve their record this homestand to 3-1-0. The Sharks host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday and then begin a four-game road trip against teams from the Metropolitan Division.

Warsofsky said he and Walman talked about the decision, but he declined to give reporters more details about why he is making a change.

Walman was injured by a body blow by Canucks forward Brock Boeser late in the first period Saturday when he collided with his shoulder into the boards to the left of the Sharks’ net. Walman left the ice and returned to the Sharks locker room, but returned to the bench shortly after the start of the second period.

Walman practiced with the Sharks on Monday.

“I’m a competitor and I want to play, but it’s a coach’s decision,” Walman said Tuesday morning. “I will respect the conversation we had. I wouldn’t say it has nothing to do with the injury. I don’t know if (Warsofsky) talked about it, but obviously I wouldn’t be in this position without it.

“I was on the ice to practice (Monday) hoping to play. But it is a coach’s decision. I feel good about my game and I’m a competitor. “I want to be out there.”

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