UPDATE: Sharks, Nikolai Knyzhov Agree to Mutual Contract Termination

The San Jose Sharks have placed Nikolai Knyzhov on unconditional waivers for purposes of a buyout.

Knyzhov, a defenseman with the San Jose Sharks since 2019-2020, had one year remaining with a cap hit of $1.25 million.

UPDATE: Knyzhov’s contract is being bought out for purposes of a contract termination, meaning the San Jose Sharks are walking away without any buyout penalty.

Knyzhov cleared waivers and his contract will now be mutually terminated. He's a free agent and #SJSharks have no cap hit for himhttps://t.co/IsVMn3zOUk https://t.co/1j1qKKLTaa

— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) June 30, 2024

Originally, the Sharks signed the smooth-skating 6-foot-3 defender as a free agent out of the KHL in 2019.

Knyzhov has undergone a series of injuries and setbacks since winning Sharks’ Rookie of the Year in 2020-21. He’s had hernia, groin, and Achilles injuries, among other issues.

Since that time, he has only appeared in 22 games for the San Jose Sharks. He played primarily with the San Jose Barracuda last season, posting 14 points in 40 games.

The Sharks’ blueline, however, was looking crowded headed into camp, so Knyzhov looked like an odd man out once again, along with Kyle Burroughs (traded) and Calen Addison (won’t be qualified). San Jose traded for Jake Walman earlier this week, and are looking to refresh a defense that struggled last season.