There is some positive news on the San Jose Sharks’ injury front for three key players.

First, Will Smith is already out of his sling and progressing well, according to Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky.

“He’s getting better every day. That’s the most important thing,” Warsofsky said. “He’s rehabbing. He’s in the gym. Working extremely hard. He’s in our meetings, just like any injured guy. We want our injured guys in our meetings. We think that’s important. He’s doing a lot of work to rehab, a lot of work to continue to get stronger and strengthen his body.”

Was going down the elevator at intermission and ran into Will Smith. Says he got out of the sling today and says he’s feeling good. #SJSharks

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 19, 2025

When asked for clarity regarding whether the Sharks winger will need surgery, Warsofsky said it hasn’t been discussed. The coach never explicitly ruled out the possibility, but said the team would have a better idea of Smith’s progress following a re-evaluation on Monday.

“We’re gonna reassess it on Monday,” Warsofsky told reporters on Wednesday. “We haven’t talked about surgery.”

Smith hasn’t returned to the ice in any capacity for the Sharks, but being out of a sling is an encouraging sign.

Vincent Desharnais is skating again

San Jose Sharks defenseman Vincent Desharnais hasn’t played since Nov. 26 against the Colorado Avalanche. The 6’7 d-man had found a spot in the Sharks lineup as the No. 6 d-man and a critical part of the penalty kill.

Warsofsky told reporters that Desharnais has returned to the ice on his own and should rejoin the team shortly after the brief Christmas break.

“He’s on schedule,” Warsofsky said. “The length is what you miss, the size. The long stick takes up time and space. You see the best PKs, if you were to go back and look, long defensemen are usually the big reasons for that. We miss him, but he’s inching closer here.”

Desharnais had a big off-season to improve his mental health and skating ability. Both have found him success on and off the ice for the Sharks.

“We liked him when he came in last year. He gets injured. Has a good training camp and earned a spot in our sixth rotation there. Being on our penalty kill and [having] a roll,” Warsofsky explained. “He’s earned what he’s got so far this year. Hopefully, we get him back sooner rather than later.”

Kurashev shouldn’t miss the chance to play for Switzerland

The other forward that got injured during the San Jose Sharks’ incredible comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins was Philipp Kurashev. The winger went crashing hard into the boards and was ruled out of the game with an upper-body injury.

Warsofsky didn’t offer much on any timeline for Kurashev’s eventual return to the Sharks’ lineup. Kurashev is one of just 12 Swiss-born players in the NHL. Although he certainly isn’t guaranteed a spot on the final Olympic roster, there’s a strong chance he will be on the team.

“No, I don’t think so. We think he should be fine,” Warsofsky said.

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