Sheng Peng
Good news, Nikolai Knyzhov is skating.
That’s what San Jose Hockey Now’s Lizz Child reported two weeks ago while taking in San Jose Sharks development camp:
ah yes, it's SHARKS Ice this morning (Labanc, Ferraro, and Knyzhov)
— Lizz Child (@LizzChild) July 14, 2022
Knyzhov has also been making the rounds in the community, making an appearance at Extra Hour Training, a comprehensive off-ice hockey training facility (and SJHN sponsor) located just minutes from Sharks Ice.
That’s all great news, considering Knyzhov missed all of the 2021-22 season with groin injuries and a post-surgery infection.
SJHN checked in with a source today, who reports no setbacks so far this summer for the San Jose Sharks’ defender, “Not that I know of. Should be good to go [for the season].”
Of course, Knyzhov himself struck a cautious tone about coming back in the fall during his May exit interview, saying with a smile: “The projection is there and, you know, they had that same projection exactly a year ago in May. There’s just hope there. I hope I’m ready at this point. I don’t want to say that I won’t be, I don’t want to say that it will happen, but as of now, I feel like I will. I feel great right now.”
It sounds like, as of now, that Knyzhov is still on track. Let’s hope he stays on it: The San Jose Sharks’ blueline is short one Brent Burns, and they’ll need all hands on deck to make up for the franchise icon’s minutes.