The San Jose Sharks are grappling with significant injuries to two of their leading scorers, as Philipp Kurashev is now classified as week-to-week due to an upper-body injury. Meanwhile, Will Smith is also sidelined, with his potential need for surgery still unclear. This situation presents a challenging scenario for the Sharks as they prepare for upcoming games without key offensive players.
Both players were placed on injured reserve following their departures during the Sharks’ recent match against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kurashev left the game in the second period after colliding violently with the boards. He managed to skate to the bench but subsequently walked to the team’s dressing room for further evaluation. Smith sustained his injury later in the match, at 16:30 of the third period, when he was hit into the boards by defenseman Parker Wotherspoon. He quickly left the ice, visibly favoring his right arm.
In an update provided by head coach Ryan Warsofsky, the team is scheduled to reassess Smith’s condition this coming Monday. When asked about the possibility of surgery, Warsofsky responded, “I don’t think we’re there yet,” indicating that while concerns exist, definitive action has not yet been taken.
As a result of these injuries, Kurashev, who has recorded 15 points in 31 games this season, and Smith, the Sharks’ second-leading scorer with 29 points in 33 games, will be unavailable for at least the short term. The Sharks are currently navigating this setback by recalling forwards Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell from the AHL’s Barracuda.
Chernyshov is set to make his NHL debut on Tuesday, joining the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf as the Sharks prepare to face the Calgary Flames in the first match of a three-game homestand. Chernyshov has been a standout in the AHL, leading his team with 23 points in 25 games. Cardwell will begin his game on the third line, teaming up with veteran winger Jeff Skinner, who is set to play his 1,100th NHL game, and center Ty Dellandrea.
As the Sharks aim to adapt to these changes, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching how the team responds in the upcoming matches, particularly in light of the critical contributions expected from the newly promoted players. The situation remains fluid, and updates on the status of both Kurashev and Smith will be closely monitored as the season progresses.
