SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov skated for the primary time Tuesday since he tore his proper Achilles tendon in August, taking a small however vital step in his months-long restoration from the devastating offseason damage.
After the Sharks completed their observe, Knyzhov, getting clearance from his therapist, stepped on the ice for a couple of minutes to see how his leg felt after his first two-plus months of rehabilitation.
“I really feel fairly good. It’s nonetheless weak, clearly nonetheless numerous work to get completed to get the energy again,” mentioned Knyzhov, who has additionally been doing off-ice exercises on the Sharks’ observe facility. “However it feels fairly good skating. The (medical doctors) did an excellent job. All the things is repaired the suitable manner.”
Knyzhov tore the Achilles tendon throughout off-ice coaching and had surgical procedure Aug. 10. The estimated time of restoration for such accidents is about six months, placing a possible return for someday in February.
“It’s undoubtedly disappointing and one of many worst emotions that I’ve needed to take care of,” Knyzhov mentioned. “Nonetheless not enjoying, and there’s nonetheless an extended street again. It sucks. I can’t say far more.”
Sharks coach David Quinn famous that Knyzhov is forward of schedule however added that, “when he’s prepared, he’s prepared.”
Knyzhov mentioned this was his first time on the ice for the reason that damage. Is taking it slowly, and can speak with the crew’s trainers concerning the subsequent step. Nonetheless an extended street forward. https://t.co/z1IHRHiiQm
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 8, 2022
Knyzhov was additionally cautious about asserting a timeline for a return.
“(Six months is) the timeline that medical doctors gave me, however all people’s totally different,” Knyzhov mentioned. “For me, I get up on daily basis and I attempt to do my finest to get again on the market. If it’s sooner, it’s good. If it’s later, that’s OK too as a result of it simply depends upon the way it heals and the way I really feel. I’m not getting on the market until I’m 100%.”
Knyzhov mentioned the following step is simply to see how he feels Wednesday after the skate and go from there. Ideally, the following huge steps could be to skate with tools and later, skate with different gamers, nevertheless it’s unclear when that might happen.
Knyzhov nonetheless famous, although, that he desires to play this season.
“That’s all I’m wanting ahead to,” Knyzhov mentioned. “I get up on daily basis and it doesn’t matter what I've in my social life, all I’m serious about is simply getting out on the ice. The very first thing in my thoughts is, ‘what do I've to do right this moment to get again.’
“I’m in good fingers.”
Knyzhov was named by native media because the Sharks’ Rookie of the 12 months after the 2020-2021 season by which he had 10 factors and performed in all 56 video games. He averaged near 17 minutes of ice time per recreation that yr and completed the season as Erik Karlsson’s protection companion.
However Knyzhov has had no luck together with his well being since that season. He missed all of final yr with a litany of illnesses, together with points together with his groin, a sports activities hernia, and later an an infection that stored him largely stationary for weeks.
Knyzhov had put all of that previously and appeared able to return this season, maybe difficult for a spot on one of many Sharks’ prime two protection pairs. Jaycob Megna has been Karlsson’s protection pair of late and free-agent signee Matt Benning has helped fill the open spot within the Sharks’ protection corps.
Knyzhov’s final recreation was Could 12, 2021, as he’s leaned on pals and teammates to assist him get by way of the various difficult instances, each bodily and psychological.
“If I used to be to call everybody, we’d in all probability be right here so lengthy,” Knyzhov mentioned of the help. “I’ve had so many individuals round me that have been attempting to assist me. The crew, my household and shut pals, all people on this room, all people on this constructing.
“Day-after-day, I by no means felt like I used to be left alone. I used to be very grateful for that.”
“A variety of hugs,” mentioned Quinn, who was knowledgeable by Sharks normal supervisor Mike Grier about Knyzhov’s ordeal. “Simply really feel for him and he’s had an important angle, at all times has a smile on his face. He doesn’t really feel sorry for himself, simply went again to work and he’s forward of schedule.”
FERRARO RETURNS: Defenseman Mario Ferraro, who was struck within the face by a puck over the weekend, was a full participant in Tuesday’s observe and is predicted to be within the lineup later this week when the Sharks start a four-game street journey in opposition to the St. Louis Blues.
Ferraro was injured within the late phases of Saturday’s recreation with the Anaheim Geese, a 5-4 shootout loss for San Jose, as a Frank Vatrano shot contained in the Sharks’ zone ramped up Ferraro’s stick and hit him on the facet of the face.
Ferraro instantly left the ice and didn't return. He mentioned Tuesday he acquired “seven or eight” stitches and was left with a sore jaw.
“I received fortunate,” Ferraro mentioned.
Ferraro’s incident was eerily paying homage to a mouth damage he suffered on Jan. 29 in a street recreation in opposition to the Florida Panthers. An tried shot on aim by ahead Owen Tippett within the Sharks’ zone ramped up Ferraro’s stick and into his face, inflicting intensive harm to his enamel.
“I used to be extra apprehensive that I might need to overlook video games,” Ferraro mentioned. “I simply didn’t know the way unhealthy it was. Once you get hit within the face, you sort of go numb slightly bit. However it actually wasn’t unhealthy in any respect in comparison with what I had final yr. It was an inch away from being lots worse if it was in my enamel, nevertheless it’s high-quality.”