SAN JOSE — Will Smith, a second-year winger for the San Jose Sharks, will be sidelined until at least January due to an upper-body injury sustained on December 13 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky indicated on Monday that Smith’s recovery will be assessed on a week-to-week basis as he continues to make daily improvements. “Smitty’s going to be out here week to week,” Warsofsky stated, highlighting the positive progress in Smith’s condition despite declining to provide detailed information about the injury.
The Sharks are grappling with a series of injuries, with fellow winger Collin Graf also experiencing setbacks. Graf took a puck to the face during practice on Monday and required stitches. His status remains unclear as the team prepares to face the Vegas Golden Knights, but Warsofsky expressed concern over the incident, saying, “Anytime someone goes down, the human side of it really is unfortunate.” Graf has recently performed well, notching three goals in the last two games, contributing to a four-game point streak.
In addition to Smith and Graf, defenseman Vincent Desharnais is currently on injured reserve with an upper-body injury since December 1, but Warsofsky is hopeful for his return to practice after the holiday break. Defenseman Timothy Liljegren, who has been out since Saturday due to an upper-body injury from a morning skate, will be evaluated by medical staff on December 26.
Top-six forward Philipp Kurashev remains sidelined with an upper-body issue that led to his placement on injured reserve on December 15, and he has been seen in a cast, causing uncertainty regarding his timeline for recovery. Warsofsky remarked, “As long as he has a cast, I don’t see him playing.”
In brighter news for the Sharks, rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson is healthy and expected to stay with the team, forgoing the opportunity to join Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Warsofsky acknowledged Dickinson’s growth and performance, aiming to focus on his continuous development with the Sharks rather than the World Juniors. Dickinson himself shared his contentment with his current situation, emphasizing his commitment to the team and the importance of focusing on the present.
“I’m happy to be here, happy that I get to stick around and continue to build here,” he said, expressing his motivation to help the Sharks succeed as they navigate this challenging period. As the team prepares for the games ahead, they hold hope for improving their fortunes despite the injury struggles, focusing on the potential return of injured players and the development of their emerging talent.