San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky provided an update on star youngster Will Smith after practice on Friday.<\/p>\n
Smith, who has been out since Dec. 13, was forced out of the Sharks\u2019 wild comeback against the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> after he took an awkward hit on the boards. Smith was spotted in a sling for a couple of days after, but has since shed it. He\u2019s been skating with fellow injured winger Philipp Kurashev.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s still week-to-week,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cWe\u2019re pretty optimistic we\u2019ll get him back before the [Olympic] break.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith is still week-to-week. #SJSharks<\/a> <\/p>\n Optimistic that he\u2019ll return before Olympic break<\/p>\n \u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Kurashev and Smith have been going through the rehab process together, and Warsofsky says the duo is getting tired of the conditioning work. With the San Jose Sharks playing better since the Christmas break, both players have been eager to do their part in contributing to wins.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re good. I think they\u2019re sick of the conditioning, skating, and gym work,\u201d Warsofsky said. \u201cThey want to help our team, especially as we\u2019ve had a little bit of success; they want to help our guys. But they\u2019re in good spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n Klingberg is day-to-day<\/p>\n San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg is doubtful to play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday due to a lower-body injury. Warsofsky stated the Sharks\u2019 d-man suffered the injury during the Sharks\u2019 4-3 shootout win<\/a> over the Minnesota Wild.<\/p>\n Klingberg doubtful to play tomorrow due to a lower-body injury. #SJSharks<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe think it\u2019s short-term, so we\u2019re not super concerned right now,\u201d Warsofsky said about Klingberg. \u201cNext man up. I think we\u2019re gonna get [Timothy Liljegren] back here. We\u2019re getting healthier, and we\u2019re getting closer with some guys. It\u2019s just a little speed bump here.\u201d<\/p>\n Liljegren skated at San Jose Sharks practice on Friday and has missed the past five games due to an upper-body injury. Liljegren was slotted in Klingberg\u2019s place next to Dmitry Orlov<\/a> during the skate.<\/p>\n Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on\u00a0Sharks Hockey Digest<\/a>! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest<\/a>!<\/p>\n