Sharks Could Get Major Boost as Several Key Players Close to Returning

The Sharks could be on the verge of welcoming several key players back from injury as they embark on their upcoming road trip. Defensemen Shakir Mukhamadullin and Vincent Desharnais, along with forward Will Smith, will all travel with the team, signaling that their returns may not be far off.

Smith appears closest to rejoining the lineup and is currently listed as questionable for Thursday’s game against the Capitals. His presence would provide a major spark for San Jose’s offense. The 20-year-old has been a mainstay on the top line and has recorded 29 points in 33 games, largely while skating alongside Macklin Celebrini. Despite Smith missing the past month, the Sharks have managed to stay afloat offensively. Call-ups Igor Chernyshov and Pavol Regenda have contributed timely scoring, while Collin Graf and Alex Wennberg have elevated their offensive play during that stretch.

Smith’s impending return does create an intriguing roster dilemma. With a spot needing to open up, Jeff Skinner and Pavol Regenda appear to be the most likely candidates to come out of the lineup. Skinner has been scratched at times this season and could be the odd man out once Smith is cleared to play.

Regenda, however, presents a tougher decision. His six goals in eight games have been impressive, but defensively he has graded out among the weakest Sharks forwards over that span, and he lacks a history of sustained offensive production at the AHL level. Even with his recent scoring touch, it’s possible the organization does not view him as a permanent fixture in the lineup.

There has been no official update regarding Mukhamadullin or Desharnais for Thursday’s contest, but the fact that both are traveling suggests they could return at some point during the trip. Desharnais has been sidelined since late November with an upper-body injury, and his absence has been noticeable. Before getting hurt, he was playing some of his strongest hockey of the season, settling into a role on the bottom pairing with Sam Dickinson and becoming an important piece of the penalty kill.

His return could help steady a Sharks defense that has slipped since his injury.

Mukhamadullin’s season has been inconsistent at times, but he had begun to find his footing and earn more regular ice time before going down with an injury. While he may need to battle for minutes on a fully healthy blue line, the hope is that the injury did not halt his upward trajectory.

When both defensemen are ready to return, the Sharks will face a decision on the back end. They have managed to rotate nine defensemen for much of the season due to frequent injuries, but a healthier roster may finally force a move. The most obvious candidate to be placed on waivers is Nick Leddy. He has logged the fewest minutes among Sharks defensemen this season and has struggled in limited action.

Given his contract and performance, Leddy would almost certainly clear waivers, allowing the Sharks to assign him to the AHL as depth, even if he ultimately does not report to the Barracuda.

Overall, the timing of these potential returns is favorable. As San Jose gears up for a second-half playoff push, every point is becoming increasingly valuable, and a healthier lineup could play a crucial role down the stretch.

The Sharks (23-19-3) take on Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (23-17-6) at Capital One Arena on Thursday. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. local time.