The San Jose Sharks will navigate the upcoming games without two of their top-scoring wingers, as forward Philipp Kurashev is sidelined for at least a week due to an upper-body injury. Will Smith, another key player, also remains out of action, and head coach Ryan Warsofsky has not ruled out the possibility of surgery for him.
Both players were placed on injured reserve on March 4, 2024, following injuries sustained during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins two days earlier. Kurashev, 26, left the game in the second period after a hard collision with the end boards. He skated briefly to the Sharks’ bench but then walked back to the dressing room for further evaluation. Smith, 20, suffered his injury in the third period after being hit into the boards by defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, immediately leaving the ice while clutching his right arm.
In a thrilling comeback, the Sharks managed to defeat the Penguins 6-5 in overtime despite being down 5-1 early in the third period. This victory showcased the team’s resilience, but the absence of both Kurashev and Smith will pose challenges moving forward.
As of now, Smith is the Sharks’ second-leading scorer, with 29 points in 33 games, while Kurashev has contributed 15 points in 31 games this season. The Sharks are set to face the Calgary Flames as they begin a three-game homestand, making the situation even more pressing.
In response to these injuries, the Sharks have recalled forwards Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell from the AHL team, the Barracuda. Chernyshov, who leads the Barracuda with 23 points in 25 games, is expected to make his NHL debut on March 5, starting on the top line alongside Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf. Cardwell, with nine points in 14 games, will begin his game on the third line, teaming up with veteran winger Jeff Skinner, who is set to play his 1,100th NHL game, and center Ty Dellandrea.
The Sharks will continue to update their fans on the status of Kurashev and Smith as they work through these injuries. As the team adjusts, the upcoming matches will be crucial for maintaining their performance and positioning in the league.
