November 23rd 2024.
Will Smith is set to make his return to the San Jose Sharks' lineup this Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres, according to head coach Ryan Warsofsky. However, the availability of fellow forward William Eklund will be determined closer to game time.
There is some uncertainty surrounding Eklund's status for Saturday's game, as he was not dealing with the same upper-body injury that kept him out of the Sharks' previous game against the Winnipeg Jets. Eklund has been a key player for the Sharks this season, currently ranking second on the team in scoring with 16 points in 21 games. He also has the second-highest average time on ice among all forwards and has been a key contributor in all situations on the ice.
In Smith's absence during the Sharks' last game against the St. Louis Blues, the team suffered a 3-2 shootout loss. However, they have been performing well overall, earning points in nine of their last 13 games after a difficult start to the season.
On the goaltending front, Mackenzie Blackwood will start in net for the Sharks on Saturday, with Vitek Vanecek as the backup. Vanecek had been day-to-day with an upper-body injury but was able to get on the ice before Wednesday's game. Yaroslav Askarov, who was recalled from the Barracuda on Monday, will be a scratch for Saturday's game, but the Sharks plan to keep three goalies on the roster for the time being.
Warsofsky also confirmed that he will stick with the same defensemen as the last game, with Jack Thompson remaining in the lineup and Henry Thrun being a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game.
There is some positive news on the injury front as well, as center Nico Sturm is nearing his return from an upper-body injury suffered in a game against the New York Rangers on November 14. Sturm was placed on injured reserve last week to make room for Askarov on the roster.
The Sharks have a busy schedule ahead, with five games in eight days, including a home-and-home series against the Seattle Kraken. They will also face the Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators before returning home for a special game against the Sabres on Saturday. This game will not only mark Will Smith's return, but it will also be a special night for the Sharks organization as they retire Joe Thornton's jersey.
Warsofsky has a plan in place to allow the players to watch the ceremony honoring Thornton, but also ensure that they are mentally and physically prepared for the game. He hopes that the team will rise to the occasion and put on a strong performance for the fans and for Thornton, who has had a significant impact on the Sharks organization.
Thornton is still a regular presence at the Sharks' practice facility and has been a valuable resource for Warsofsky and the coaching staff. As a long-time fan of Thornton's since his early days in Boston, Warsofsky has relished the opportunity to learn from the future Hockey Hall of Famer and has found his insights to be invaluable.
It's clear that Thornton's influence extends beyond just the coaches, as the players have also benefited from his presence and knowledge of the game. Despite his departure from the Sharks, Thornton's impact continues to be felt within the organization, and his jersey retirement will be a fitting tribute to his contributions.
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