San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin will miss Thursday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers due to an undisclosed injury.
The de facto No. 1 d-man for the Sharks suffered the injury after Anaheim Ducks forward, Frank Vatrano, responded to a hit Mukhamadullin made on Tuesday.
Vatrano takes exception of Terry getting hit and takes Mukhamadullin down after Shakir hits Terry with a cross check and falls down. Teams play 4 on 4, Mukhamadullin in exceptional pain heads to the room. #TheFutureIsTeal down #FlyTogether 3-1. pic.twitter.com/EV5rQ6jsd3— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) April 2, 2025
The former New Jersey Devils first-round pick has averaged 21:42 time on ice a game over the last nine Sharks games. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the d-man played a career-high 25:26.
San Jose had an optional practice on Wednesday, and head coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters he was still being evaluated. After Thursday’s morning skate, answers to his injury remained unanswered.
After Warsofsky said Mukhamadullin was still being evaluated, SHD followed up by asking if the injury could keep him out long-term.
“He’s not going to play today. Again, he’s still going through [the evaluation process],” Warsofsky responded.
Other reporters pressed Warsofsky for any specific details he could provide, but according to the bench boss, none were available.
“I’m not going to get into it. He’s still being evaluated,” Warsofsky said.
Finally, Warsofsky was asked if he was confident the young San Jose Sharks defenseman could return this season.
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” Warsofsky said.
Could the Sharks have done more for an in-game response?
San Jose has done a good job as a team this season responding to moments like Mukhamadullin’s injury. However, on Tuesday night, Warsofsky felt there could’ve been a little more done.
“We don’t like what Vatrano does. We should probably handle it a little bit differently, to be honest with you,” Warsofsky said on Wednesday.
On Thursday, Warsofsky recognized that his Sharks team is still young and will fine-tune their responses in those situations.
“I think it’s a situation that you develop as you play in this league. As you play professionally, young players start to develop that instinct. They figure it out from talking to Barclay Goodrow, talking to Tyler Toffoli. Watching other players do it around the league,” Warsofsky said. “I know a guy like Dellandrea has done it before. Zack Ostapchuk, he’s gonna develop that. We’re not super concerned. It was a learning moment for a young group.”
TOM WILSON MAKES LIGHT WORK OF ZACK OSTAPCHUK 😳🥊 pic.twitter.com/rODdyroGUR— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 15, 2025
Henry Thrun returns to the San Jose Sharks lineup against the Edmonton Oilers and will slot next to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Warsofsky told reporters that Thursday’s game had been the target return for Thrun.
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