Injuries in sports are inevitable and the San Jose Sharks hockey team is not immune- we are seeing injuries with no timeline for return. With the season starting in only a few weeks, it’s important to notice who has not returned to the ice and who is working to take those open positions.
Has the San Jose Sharks’ lack of luck extended to their IRL list?
The Sharks issued four injury updates. Couture, Yaroslav Askarov, Shakir Mukhamadulin, and Marc-Eduord Vlasic will miss the start of camp. pic.twitter.com/PI9m2f4guQ
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) September 19, 2024
Veteran Logan Couture sustained a groin injury in February of 2024. The talk of his return has been back and forth, yet there is no set answer. As of August, he was to hopefully be returning to the ice. Yet his lack of attendance at training camp says otherwise.
The Goalie Carousel
Newly acquired goaltender Yarsolav Askarov. The 22-year-old up-and-coming goalie was recently traded from the Nashville Predators to the Sharks in August. Following the announcement it was reported he was out with a lower-body injury. His timeline is still unknown, but there is hope he will be healthy for the October 10th game against St. Louis.
It’s equally important to state that Mackenzie Blackwood has returned from an injury. He missed the last few games of the 23-24 season with an unknown injury. He has reported back into the net, playing in the preseason game against the Knights.
Luckily for the Sharks, they have help in between the posts until Askarov can fully recover and Blackwood is back to being 100%. The Sharks will have a fighting chance with Vanecek and Romanov in the net this preseason. Vanecek saw no ice time with the Sharks last season due to an injury, but he’s back on the ice and competing for the #1 goaltender spot this training camp.
What to Make of the Blue Line
Defenceman Marc-Edouard Vlasic has missed training camp, and the recent preseason games, and is expected to be out for the following preseason games. Vlasic has sustained an upper-body injury; it is unclear if he will return by October 10th. This injury comes after the 23-24 season where he finished the year with only 12 points.
With one defenceman out, another has found their way back onto the ice, healthy. Jan Rutta missed the final two games of the Shark’s previous season due to an undisclosed injury. He returned onto the ice for training camp looking ready for this upcoming season. Rutta has one more year left on his contract with the Sharks.
San Jose Sharks’ Thomas Bordeleau Out Week-to-Week with Lower-Body Injury https://t.co/Vq7C3Pusdw pic.twitter.com/0amRQA7p9A
— The Report On Sports (@ReportOnSports) September 25, 2024
Winger Thomas Bordeleau is out with a lower-body injury on a week-to-week basis. Last season, Bordeleau spent the majority of the time playing in the AHL and will likely return to the AHL during recovery. At this time it is uncertain when Bordeleau will make his return. This injury comes after Bordeleau signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Sharks. Hopefully, he will see the Ice with the Sharks once he’s fully recovered.
With four players out with questionable timelines for their returns, the Sharks must play this preseason smart. The newer trades and the younger players have made a large splash in the last few games, proving they belong in the Shark Tank. Macklin Celebrini, Tyler Toffoli, and Will Smith have been playing their best preseason hockey-gunning for that starting position in the lineup.
Time will only tell when we see these players hit the ice, and if they have what it takes to keep their spots once they return.
Main Photo: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
