The San Jose Sharks are facing challenges as their already depleted defense corps will be missing Shakir Mukhamadullin for their upcoming games due to an upper-body injury. Mukhamadullin sustained the injury during a recent practice and is now classified as day-to-day. This news comes as he has not played since the Sharks’ season opener on October 9, although he was able to participate in practice just prior to this announcement.
In addition to Mukhamadullin, the Sharks are also coping with injuries to John Klingberg (lower body) and Timothy Liljegren (upper body), forcing Vincent Iorio into the lineup. Just a day after being claimed off waivers from the Washington Capitals, Iorio, who stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, will make his debut with the Sharks. He comes to San Jose having previously spent last season with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL), while also securing two Calder Cup championships.
Liljegren and Klingberg were injured during a home game against the Carolina Hurricanes, leading to Liljegren’s placement on injured reserve. Klingberg has traveled with the team to Salt Lake City but is still day-to-day.
Despite not being injured, rookie center Michael Misa will sit out on Friday to avoid back-to-back games but is expected to return for the Saturday matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Looking at the Sharks’ future schedule, they face an intense season, with 15 back-to-back game situations ahead, many of which will see them facing teams that are more rested. This includes their game against the Penguins, who played against the Los Angeles Kings the previous night. The compressed schedule due to the NHL’s pause for the Winter Olympics adds another layer of complexity.
In net for the Sharks, Yaroslav Askarov is set to start Friday’s game, while Alex Nedeljkovic may take the crease against the Penguins the following night. Nedeljkovic, a former Penguin, has had a mixed start to the season, and his performance will be crucial for the Sharks as they navigate this challenging schedule.
On the administrative side, San Jose has made a minor league move, acquiring defenseman Kyle Masters from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for forward Oskar Olausson. Masters, who is in the final year of his entry-level contract, had a brief stint with the AHL’s Iowa Wild and has also played for the ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders.
As the Sharks prepare to tackle their upcoming games, they do so with a roster that reflects both current adversity and potential growth. The influx of new talent and a focus on navigating this challenging schedule might set the stage for development and resilience in the face of adversity.