BREAKING: Sharks Recall Two, Including Mike Grier’s First Pick

Following a 2-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the San Jose Sharks have made roster moves, including calling up former first-round pick Filip Bystedt.

Along with Bystedt, the Sharks also recalled defenseman Libor Hajek, who was signed as a free agent over the summer. To make room on the NHL roster, the team placed injured forwards Alexander Wennberg and Igor Chernyshov on injured reserve.

That wasn’t the only move, as the San Jose Sharks also announced they’ve loaned defenseman Luca Cagnoni back to the AHL.

Bystedt, the No. 27 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has finally been recalled to the NHL for the first time. Bystedt was the first selection Mike Grier made after taking over as general manager that summer. He hasn’t been able to establish himself as a top prospect in the Sharks system during the rebuild, but this opportunity is perfect.

The Swedish centerman hasn’t been bad in his AHL career. In 131 career AHL games, the new San Jose Sharks center has 106 points (42 goals, 64 assists). He started the season well for the San Jose Barracuda, scoring seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in eight games.

With Wennberg out week to week, Bystedt could get an extended look as a middle-six center for multiple games. Michael Misa has started to pick up his game recently, and playing Bystedt as the 3C could be the perfect role for him to start his long-awaited NHL career.

As for Hajek, the defenseman will likely play as the No. 7 defenseman behind Nolan Allan, who gets a bump in the lineup with Cagnoni’s demotion to the AHL. Hajek has one goal and one assist in eight games with the Barracuda. Hajek hasn’t played an NHL game since Dec. 12, 2022, with the New York Rangers.