Sharks Face Maple Leafs with Key Player Returns and Departures

The San Jose Sharks are set to face off against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena, with significant changes in their lineup. Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic will start for the third consecutive game, while defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin makes his return after a 10-day absence. This matchup comes as the Sharks aim to break a losing streak and avoid their fourth defeat in five games.

Nedeljkovic stepped in as the starting goalie after Yaroslav Askarov was sidelined by illness. In his last appearance against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 5, he stopped 26 of 29 shots but ultimately suffered a 4-1 loss. With Askarov traveling from Philadelphia to Toronto on Wednesday, he will serve as Nedeljkovic’s backup for this crucial game. This season, Nedeljkovic holds a record of 4-6-2, along with a .899 save percentage. Askarov may return to the starting role on Sunday when the Sharks face the Pittsburgh Penguins to conclude their challenging five-game road trip.

Mukhamadullin’s return comes after he last played on December 1, when the Sharks secured a 6-3 victory against the Utah Mammoth. Although he was close to returning on Tuesday, he was ultimately scratched as teammate Timothy Liljegren took the ice. In 14 games this season, Mukhamadullin has recorded one goal and four assists, averaging 16:29 of ice time primarily in a second or third defensive pairing role.

Former Sharks Player Debuts with Leafs

On the other side of the ice, former Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun is making his debut with the Maple Leafs. Thrun, acquired in July as part of the trade that sent Ryan Reaves to San Jose, expressed his excitement about returning to the NHL. “It’s super exciting, obviously,” Thrun stated. “Toronto is the biggest hockey market in the world, so to be able to get a chance to represent the NHL team here is pretty special.”

Since being traded, Thrun had been placed on waivers prior to the start of the regular season. After clearing waivers, he played for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL, where he accumulated nine points in 19 games. Thrun’s recall comes as the Maple Leafs contend with injuries to defensemen Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev, and Dakota Mermis.

Reaves Reflects on Exit from Toronto

Reaves, who has settled into his role with the Sharks, spoke candidly about his departure from the Maple Leafs. “They basically said that I couldn’t play in this league anymore,” he remarked at Scotiabank Arena. Now in the second year of a three-year, $4.05 million contract, Reaves had been healthy scratched 15 times during his tenure with Toronto, playing only 35 of 62 games before being placed on waivers in March.

Reflecting on his past experiences, Reaves noted, “I think throughout the year, not just that situation, there were other situations that could have been handled differently.” He emphasized that honesty and communication during his time in Toronto would have been appreciated. Despite the challenges, Reaves expressed gratitude for his new opportunity in San Jose, stating, “I ended up in a great organization, and I’m having a great time playing here.”

As the Sharks prepare for their matchup against the Maple Leafs, both teams are navigating changes and challenges, underscoring the dynamic nature of the NHL season.