San Jose Sharks defense prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin is in his second NHL stint and he says he feels more comfortable this time around.
Shakir Mukhamadullin will pass the total of his three NHL games last season when he takes the ice tonight against the Colorado Avalanche for his fourth game of the 24-25 season.
The 22-year-old Russian defenseman will play his off-right-hand side on the third pair with Henry Thrun. Thrun has been out of the Sharks lineup the previous three games as a healthy scratch.
While Mukhamadullin doesn’t have a point this season, he said he feels more comfortable than last season.
“Less nervous,” Mukhamadullin said with a big smile. “[I’m] feeling stronger. [I feel] a little bit bigger because I have more weight right now. I feel that has helped me. It’s way easier on battles.”
According to the NHL site, Mukhamadullin weighs 200 lbs. At 6’4 “and 22 years old, the former first-round pick isn’t done growing.
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky worked with the defenseman during his three NHL games last season, but now, as the head coach, Warsofsky has been directly involved in what Mukhamadullin needs to work on.
“I need to play with more confidence when I have the puck,” Mukhamadullin said. “When I have the puck on the offensive goal line, I’m just working on that. I know what I need to do. With coaches, we do some meetings after games.”
Mukhamadullin will run the Sharks’ second powerplay unit against the Avalanche tonight. His one NHL assist was against the Anaheim Ducks last season while quarterbacking a power play unit.
Timothy Liljegren had been running the ’Sharks’ second unit but will be a healthy scratch tonight in favor of Thrun.
“I’m not focusing on one or two things,” Mukhamadullin said about what he wants to improve. “I just focus on everything. Just play. Try to show my best in every shift here.”