Sharks’ Igor Chernyshov leaves game with injury

The San Jose Sharks have announced that winger Igor Chernyshov is doubtful to return to Thursday’s game against the Ottawa Senators with an injury.

Chernyshov appeared to sustain the injury late in the first period of the game. He blocked a shot from Nikolas Matinpalo with his left arm, and went to the bench in discomfort. He then went to the locker room, and did not return to the game.

Chernyshov finishes the game with just a shot, two hits, and obviously the blocked shot that resulted in the injury in 4:54 of ice time, with the game tied 1-1 at the time of his departure.

An update on Chernyshov’s status will either be provided after the game or, if further evaluation is needed, sometime before Saturday’s matchup against the Boston Bruins.

It’s been a slightly disappointing start to the season for Chernyshov, given both how well he produced last season as well as his usage on the top line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. In 10 games this season, he has just two goals and two assists for four points.

With Chernyshov out of the lineup, Collin Graf has assumed the role of the top line left wing alongside Celebrini and Smith. In that trio’s careers, they’ve played 299:39 together, outscoring opponents 15-11 along with a 49.11% 5v5 expected goal share, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Should Chernyshov miss any more time with the injury, Adam Gaudette is currently the team’s only healthy scratch at forward and will likely be the player who draws into the lineup. Gaudette has yet to play a game for the Sharks this season.

Chernyshov was the Sharks’ second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, going 33rd overall. It didn’t take long for him to impress within the organization, as he made his pro debut late in the following season with the San Jose Barracuda in the AHL, and then secured a full-time role with the NHL the following season.

Chernyshov is currently in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract with a $945,417 cap hit.