San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin has had a bumpy start to his season, but he’s back on track.

After playing opening night, the d-man was a healthy scratch for two games. He then suffered an upper-body injury in practice that kept him out even longer. Mukhamadullin returned to the Sharks lineup against the team that drafted him, the New Jersey Devils.

“I feel pretty good right now,” Mukhamadullin exclusively told SHD. “It’s good because not playing four or five games only, [instead of] like last season, when I was not playing for two months. I’m not losing my body feelings and feel great right now and getting better every game.”

Mukhamadullin has two assists in the past four games, while playing his off right side. Tonight, the Sharks shift the 23-year-old back to his natural left side and pair him with Vincent Desharnais.

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While playing the right side, Mukhamadullin was often paired with Sam Dickinson. Since playing his 10th career game, Dickinson’s confidence has shown on the ice with more aggressive play. Mukhamadullin gave the Sharks prospect high praise, too.

“He’s a good guy, good player. He’s still young, but he already has good skill,” Mukhamadullin said. “I’m a young guy too. We have a way where we can go up, and we can play better everywhere. I think it’s good for us right now to have time together.”

Per Natural Stat Trick, the Sharks are outchancing opponents 11-7 when Mukhamadullin and Dickinson are on the ice together.

For Mukhamadullin, it doesn’t matter who he plays with or what side the Sharks deploy him on. He wants to help his team win.

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“I don’t know how it happened, but I just don’t feel any different when I play on the left side or the right side,” Mukhamadullin explained about being comfortable on both sides. “It doesn’t matter which side you play, because during the shift, we can switch sometimes. That’s nothing new for me. Just where the coach puts me, just try to play my best game there.”

Did Mukhamadullin actually see Toffoli on the breakaway?

Mukhamadullin had one of the prettiest assists in the entire NHL this season against the Seattle Kraken. As a penalty expired, the San Jose Sharks’ d-man sent a hard, saucer pass through the middle to a streaking Tyler Toffoli. Toffoli had just left the penalty box and was now on a breakaway.

Toffoli would be Kraken goalie Matt Murray over the glove to make it 6-1.

In the play, Mukhamadullin had his head down, leaving a question of whether he actually saw Toffoli or if he was just trying to ice the puck on a penalty kill.

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“I did see him for a little bit. I just saw some teal color there, and just tried to rip it from the middle. It was a good pass for him,” Mukhamadullin smiled.

Dmitry Orlov has become the ‘big brother’ to Shakir Mukhamadullin

Mukhamadullin’s locker is just to the right of Sharks free agent signing Dmitry Orlov. That wasn’t an accident, and the relationship between the two Russians has grown exponentially.

Despite the pairing of Orlov and Mukhamadullin not quite working, Orlov is still making an impact on Mukhamadullin’s mind and game.

“I’m just looking for him every day. He’s big bro,” Mukhamadullin said. “He comes every day first and goes home, last [type of] guy. He’s a hard worker. He’s a great player, great guy, and I just try to follow him.”

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Orlov has found his game in recent weeks after early-season struggles. The confidence the Sharks’ d-man has played with is bringing more physicality to his game.

Orlov is 4th on the San Jose Sharks with 24 hits this season.

“He’s a big guy. From Siberia,” Mukhamadullin laughed.

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