Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin will remain a healthy scratch for the third consecutive game as the San Jose Sharks face the Carolina Hurricanes, aiming to break a five-game road losing streak. Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky explained this decision after discussions with general manager Mike Grier and his team, stating, “we thought this was what was best for the group.”
Mukhamadullin, highly regarded for his potential, has struggled this season to find the form he displayed last year when he notched eight points in 17 games with an average ice time of 20:27. The 23-year-old defenseman has missed considerable playing time due to injury and has been a healthy scratch in four of the last six games. In recent weeks, coach Warsofsky noted that Mukhamadullin needs to develop greater assertiveness on the ice, suggesting that he needs to be more engaged and challenging to opponents without heavy physicality.
As the Sharks continue their road trip with upcoming matches against the Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Pittsburgh Penguins, a conditioning loan with the Barracuda could be a viable option for Mukhamadullin if he remains sidelined. This strategy has previously been applied to Vincent Iorio, who, after a series of healthy scratches, thrived during his loan period in the AHL.
So far this season, Mukhamadullin has accumulated one goal and four assists over 14 games, with an average of 16:29 in ice time, primarily within the second and third defensive pairings. He was a significant part of the Sharks’ trade deal, which sent Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils in February 2023, and the team anticipates his growth into a top-four defenseman.
In addition to Mukhamadullin, the Sharks will also be scratching defenseman Vincent Iorio and winger Ryan Reaves for this matchup.
In net, Alex Nedeljkovic is set to start, searching for his first win in a month. The former Carolina Hurricanes draft pick has faced challenges recently, with a record of 0-3-0 and an .870 save percentage in his last five outings. The Sharks have struggled on the road, looking to end their winless streak that has seen them outscored considerably over recent games.
In a shift reflecting recent performance, rookie Collin Graf, who has contributed eight points in his last 17 games, is being elevated to the Sharks’ top line alongside talents Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, aiming to enhance the team’s scoring depth.