SAN JOSE – Defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin, one of many key gamers the Sharks acquired from the New Jersey Devils as a part of final month’s Timo Meier commerce, was set to reach within the Bay Space from Russia on Thursday, though it remained unclear when he would play his first recreation along with his new group.
Mukhamadullin, 21, was one in every of New Jersey’s three first-round draft decisions in 2020 and simply accomplished his fourth season with Salavat Yulayev-Ufa of the KHL. He was keen to return to California and meet folks inside his new group, a crew official mentioned. Thursday, the Sharks assigned him to the Barracuda of the AHL.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Mukhamadullin had 25 factors in 67 common season video games for Salavat Yulayev, which is coached by former Sharks participant Viktor Kozlov. The crew misplaced within the KHL’s convention quarterfinals as Mukhamadullin had a objective and an help within the six-game playoff collection.
Sharks coach David Quinn mentioned earlier this week he’s trying ahead to assembly Mukhamadullin, already thought-about one of many Sharks’ prime total prospects.
“I’ve gotten a whole lot of good reviews on him,” Quinn mentioned. “I’ve by no means seen him reside, clearly, however different folks like him, so it’s going to be thrilling to have him right here.”
Now that Mukhamadullin is with the Barracuda, he might play as quickly as Friday or Saturday when the crew hosts the Texas Stars for 2 video games, though the date of his subsequent recreation was not instantly identified.
After this weekend, the Barracuda play video games in Colorado on Tuesday and Wednesday and host Bakersfield subsequent Saturday and Sunday. Mukhamadullin is within the first 12 months of his entry-level contract after he was loaned by the Devils to Salavat Yulayev in the beginning of the season.
The Barracuda, which is preventing for a playoff spot, has 12 common season video games left after this week. The Sharks, already eradicated from playoff competition, have 12 extra video games after this week, with their final recreation on April 13.
One of many different gamers the Sharks obtained within the Meier deal, defenseman Nikita Okhotyuk, has an undisclosed damage and has but to play a recreation for the group at both the AHL or NHL stage.
Okhotyuk, 22, performed 20 video games for Utica of the AHL and 10 video games for New Jersey earlier than his damage. His final recreation with the Devils got here Jan. 26, and his final recreation in Utica was on Feb. 11.
LONG ROAD BACK: Ahead Jonah Gadjovich skated once more Thursday morning and is making progress from an upper-body damage however mentioned he doesn’t have a transparent timeline for when he would possibly play once more.
Gadjovich, 24, final performed on Feb. 12 when he was injured through the Sharks’ recreation with the Washington Capitals.
“I simply took a clumsy bump and banged up my arm and did some harm,” Gadjovich mentioned.
Though Gadjovich has averaged 9 minutes of ice time per recreation in 35 video games this season, he provides a sure bodily dimension to the Sharks’ roster, as he leads the crew with 9 preventing majors.
Maybe it’s an ingredient that has been lacking at occasions through the Sharks’ most up-to-date slide.
After the Sharks’ 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, Quinn mentioned there have been cases this season the place he’s felt opposing groups have taken liberties on a few of his gamers.
Whether or not it’s solely partially associated to Gadjovich’s absence, the Sharks, previous to Thursday’s recreation with the Seattle Kraken, had gone 2-10-2 for the reason that ahead was injured.
“I simply need to be on the market with the fellows within the trenches,” mentioned Gadjovich, a pending restricted free agent with arbitration rights. “Once I see guys taking liberties, clearly, that’s one thing that I’ll form of implement myself and it simply makes me need to come again much more and attempt to assist the boys win.”