The injuries to Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev will test the depth of the San Jose Sharks.
Mackilin Celebrini’s linemates from the Sharks’ last game against the Pittsburgh Penguins are now both out of the lineup for at least the following week. Playing the wing on Celebrini’s line provides an opportunity for other Sharks to jumpstart their offensive production.
At first glance, players like Jeff Skinner and Collin Graf could get the first crack at playing with Celebrini. Graf was the most recent recipient of a lineup bump, scoring multiple goals while playing with Smith and Celebrini. Skinner received a few shifts with Celebrini following the injury on Saturday. The Sharks winger also started the game on the same line as Graf.
Skinner is a veteran that Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky has utilized in multiple roles. He’s got a scoring touch and has shown he can skate with top-skilled players throughout his career. While he’s only got four goals this season, none in his last nine, playing him with Celebrini could help him find his scoring touch.
The San Jose Sharks recalled Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell from the AHL, and could use one of those two on their top line.
The #SJSharks have placed Philipp Kurashev and Will Smith on IR. Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell have been recalled.
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 15, 2025
Based on how each prospect projects long-term, Chernyshov would seem more likely to start his NHL career in a top-six role. Cardwell will fill in for Kurashev in the bottom six and support the second and third rotation of penalty killers, much like Kurashev would do.
Chernyshov’s offensive skill and newly found defensive ability will likely give the Sharks a better feeling to play on a line with Celebrini.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks’ version of the ’70s line could return. Tyler Toffoli, who scored four points against the Penguins, has started to heat up again. William Eklund also scored his first goal in the past seven games and appears to be ready for a breakout. The one problem with moving both wingers to the top line is that Alexander Wennberg now has to find new chemistry.
Breaking up the Sharks’ second line, which has driven much of the offense lately, doesn’t seem like the best idea. Giving both Celebrini and Wennberg some familiarity on their line will help the team without Smith and Kurashev.
The Sharks will hold a morning skate on Tuesday, after which an official update on the team’s injuries will be provided.
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