The San Jose Sharks have recalled defensemen Nikolai Knyzhov and Nick Cicek from the Barracuda for his or her three-game street journey, which begins Monday in opposition to the Winnipeg Jets.
The Sharks completed Saturday’s sport in opposition to the Washington Capitals with simply 5 defensemen after Radim Simek left with an undisclosed damage after two durations. In what was simply his third sport again after he missed two months with a concussion, Simek, 30, performed simply 8:20 in what turned an 8-3 Sharks loss to the Capitals.
Simek, who has averaged 14:29 of ice time in 34 video games this season, didn't journey with the Sharks to Winnipeg on Sunday.
Knyzhov’s recall opens the door for him to play in his first NHL sport in shut to 2 years. Knyzhov’s final sport with the Sharks got here Might 12, 2021, on the finish of the pandemic-shortened season, as he’s been hampered by a number of accidents and setbacks.
Knyzhov, 24, had surgical procedure to restore a torn proper Achilles tendon in August and after a painstaking rehabilitation, joined the Barracuda in late January. He performed 12 AHL video games however didn't have a degree.
“His play is getting higher,” Sharks basic supervisor Mike Grier stated Friday of Knyzhov. “He’s such child, however he’s onerous on himself. Regardless of who you're, for those who take 18 months from aggressive hockey, you’re not going to step again in and be the identical participant you had been. I feel he most likely in his head thought it could be a fast turnaround the place he would simply discover his sport instantly, however it’s taken him a short while.
“We watch him, we see the development for every sport.”
Cicek, a Winnipeg native, has performed in 16 video games for the Sharks this season, most lately on Feb. 20 at house in opposition to Seattle. The 22-year-old has 4 assists with the Sharks and has averaged 14:25 in ice time per sport.
The Sharks end the journey with video games in opposition to the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday and the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. The Sharks are 1-7-1 of their final 9 video games and enter Monday with the third-worst file within the NHL at 18-33-12.