Shakir Mukhamadullin will return to the San Jose Sharks lineup against the New Jersey Devils, head coach Ryan Warsofsky confirmed.
The defenseman hasn’t played in a game since opening night on Oct. 9. Mukhamadullin was a healthy scratch for two games, then suffered a freak injury during practice. He was placed on injured reserve before the road trip.
Adam Gaudette was placed on injured reserve as a corresponding move to activate Mukhamadullin.
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Vincent Desharnais will be a healthy scratch as Mukhamadullin returns to the Sharks’ blue line. The 23-year-old will play the right side with Sam Dickinson.
“He’s the one guy that probably has the most experience going back, when he was over in Russia, he played the right side quite frequently, and then even towards the end of last year, at some of his best hockey was playing the right side,” Warsofsky said. “We’ll probably change our appearance here a little bit as the game goes on. They’ve got a high-powered offense over there, but that’s how we will start.”
Decision time for the Sharks
Tonight will be Dickinson’s ninth game for the San Jose Sharks. That number is significant, as the team must make a decision on where Dickinson will play for the rest of the 2025-26 season after tonight.
If Dickinson plays his tenth game of the season on Saturday or Sunday, then he will remain with the Sharks for the entire season and beyond. At 19 years old, Dickinson isn’t eligible to play in the AHL.
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Warsofsky reiterated that no decision has been made on Dickinson’s future. This has been a constant message for both Dickinson and fellow top prospect Michael Misa.
“Nothing has been decided. Mukh will play the right side. Vinny Desharnais will come out,” Warsofsky said.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m. PT. The broadcast will be available on NBCSCA and the Sharks Audio Network.
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