Preview/Lines #53: Sharks Taking Their Time With Knyzhov’s Comeback

The San Jose Sharks are taking their time with Nikolai Knyzhov’s comeback.

After 20 months away, coming back from hernia surgery, an infection from that surgery, groin surgery, and a torn Achilles, Knyzhov returned to game action on Jan. 25 for the San Jose Barracuda on a conditioning loan, and has suited up for three AHL contests so far.

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There was some thought, when defenseman Jaycob Megna got traded to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday, that it was a prelude to the Russian blueliner’s return to the Sharks.

Not so fast.

Instead, at the end of his two-week conditioning loan, the big club assigned the waiver-exempt Knyzhov to the AHL.

“We just want to continue to see how he does, give him some more games,” head coach David Quinn said this morning. “Obviously, he’s missed an awful lot of hockey over the last two years, so we want to make sure we go about this in the right way and at the right pace.”

Knyzhov hasn’t had a setback – by all accounts, his recovery is on track and he’s doing great – but don’t expect him back in the NHL tomorrow.

But who knows, maybe he’s back after the next defenseman that the San Jose Sharks ship out?

The Trade Deadline is on Mar. 3.

San Jose Sharks (16-25-11)

The Sharks should run the same line-up as last game, including starting Kaapo Kahkonen.

#SJSharks lines tonight, Kahkonen starts, Harrington with Karlsson: pic.twitter.com/fUAwmxjoJI

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) February 8, 2023

Florida Panthers (25-22-6)

GameDay No. 54: Lines, Betting Odds for Sharks at Panthers

Where To Watch

The San Jose Sharks will take on the Florida Panthers at 4 PM PST at FLA Live Arena. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.