Middleton (undisclosed) exited Friday's game versus the Golden Knights in the first period, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton did not return to the bench at the start of the second period. He took a hard hit from Ryan Reaves late in the first period. The 23-year-old defenseman was in the lineup in place of the injured Dalton Prout (undisclosed), but it appears the Sharks will have to finish the contest with five blueliners.

The Sharks recalled Middleton from AHL San Jose on Friday, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Dalton Prout (undisclosed) wasn't present at morning skate, so Middleton was likely recalled as an insurance policy in case Prout isn't available for Friday night's matchup with Vegas. The 23-year-old, who tallied one assist in three appearances with the big club last campaign, will be returned to the minors as soon as Prout is deemed fit to play.

Middleton was sent down to the AHL by the Sharks on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton was among the final cuts, along with forward Antti Suomela. The 23-year-old blueliner will likely be the team's first call-up option should an injury befall any of the Sharks' defensemen.

Middleton was recalled from AHL San Jose on Thursday, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton recorded 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) over 57 regular season games in the minors, but was unable to log any points in San Jose's four-game postseason run. In corresponding moves, a slew of other Barracudas were promoted to the Sharks, including fellow defenseman Nick DeSimone.

Middleton was redirected to AHL San Jose on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

The Baby Sharks are circling around a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs, so the fringe defenseman presumably will down at the secondary hockey level for the foreseeable future. Middleton recorded his first NHL point with a helper in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Oilers.

Middleton recorded an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Oilers.

EDGE Analysis

It took the 23-year-old blueliner three games at the NHL level to etch his name on the scoresheet. He's mostly been used as depth and insurance for injuries this season, and now he's getting a chance to make an impact while the Sharks take a cautious approach with bigger-name players ahead of the playoffs. Middleton is a seventh-round pick from 2014, so it's not extremely likely for him to see much action in the playoffs, especially if Erik Karlsson (groin) is healthy.

Middleton, who has been recalled from AHL San Jose, will draw into the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Canucks, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton has been solid in the minors this season, notching 19 points while posting a respectable plus-14 rating in 54 games. The 23-year-old is expected to slot into a prominent role Tuesday, skating with Brent Burns on the Sharks' top pairing against Vancouver.

Middleton was sent to AHL San Jose on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton did not appear in a game during his most recent stint with the big club. The 23-year-old blueliner will head back to the minor where he has 19 points in 54 games this season.

Middleton was recalled from AHL San Jose on Saturday, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton has been up and down with the big club this campaign, suiting up in just one game, recording just 5:02 of ice time. With the Sharks pretty much locked into the second position in their division, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the 23-year-old draw into the lineup for Saturday's home game against Vegas.

The Sharks sent Middleton back to AHL San Jose on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Middleton didn't draw into Monday's game against the Golden Knights, so he will take his place back among the minor-league ranks to make room for Nick DeSimone's promotion. The 23-year-old defenseman owns a plus-14 rating, marking his highest upside from a fantasy standpoint considering he's collected just 18 points in 50 games.