SJHN Daily: What Does Joe Thornton Think Of Shakir Mukhamadullin?

Early reviews of Shakir Mukhamadullin, the centerpiece of the Timo Meier trade, appear solid.

“Everybody says he passes the eye test, for sure,” San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn said on Monday. “But just talking to Joe Thornton about him, I said how’s he looking, he goes he looks like an NHL’er. So that’s good enough for me.”

Mukhamadullin has one assist in four games with the San Jose Barracuda, after an eye-opening campaign for KHL side Salavat Yulaev Ufa. The 21-year-old led all UFA defensemen with 25 points and showed an evolved two-way game.

“We all got to keep a perspective,” Quinn cautioned. “This is a kid who’s coming over, playing [in San Jose] for the first time, speaks very little English. Completely different hockey. You dropped all of us in Magnitogorsk and asked us to go play a hockey game, it would be a pretty overwhelming situation.”

The Athletic broke down Mukhamadullin’s play with the Cuda and elsewhere here.

Our own Keegan McNally also shared his insight, clipping some of the best and worst from Mukhamadullin’s San Jose debut:

7 Noteworthy Mukhamadullin Plays in His Cuda Debut

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

Matt Benning reflects on some of the team’s struggles so far this season.

Sharks are hopeful that William Eklund can return this season.

James Reimer shares some thoughts after his shutout win, which included a highlight reel save.

The Sharks re-sign defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov.

OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

San Jose Sharks players weigh in on a loaded debate: N’SYNC vs. the Backstreet Boys.

Letting you in on the debate of all debates in the locker room as the guys weigh in….⁰⁰@backstreetboys or @NSYNC?😂💿  ⁰⁰🎟️: https://t.co/KXnC5vZ8Ft pic.twitter.com/XLPRpifs6u

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 29, 2023

The Mercury News provides updates on injured Sharks players, Henry Thrun, and more.

Fear The Fin is opening a new site!

Sharks’ prospect Thomas Bordeleau facing pressure heading into a tight playoff race.

AROUND THE NHL…

David Perron left out a hat trick puck for each of his three children before school this morning 🥺

(via dp_57/IG) pic.twitter.com/2EXwcW5xxU

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 29, 2023

Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde was ejected recently for an outburst towards an official.

The New York Rangers extend Filip Chytil for four more years.

Keith Tkachuk speaks candidly on his son’s “soft” Florida Panthers.

Cale Makar, among others like the San Jose Sharks’ Jonah Gadjovich, are ineligible for Canadian national teams due to an ongoing investigation about the 2018 Team Canada WJCs gold medal winner.

The Calgary Flames were very unified in their wearing pride-themed jerseys.

OHL Commissioner David Branch confirms league hired an investigator to probe allegations that several hockey parents paid for their sons to be selected in 2022 OHL draft.
Three GTHL coaches have told me they have evidence (txt msgs) of parents paying $30K+.
Branch statement: pic.twitter.com/WKdQuYeQXa

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) March 29, 2023

Mike Pezzetta hits an unforgettable celebration after his shootout winner for the Montreal Canadiens.

The Vegas Golden Knights set a unique NHL record.

Brooks Koepka discusses his recent viral clip mocking Aaron Ekblad.