Sharks place Shakir Mukhamadullin on injured reserve; Luca Cagnoni called up
A young blueliner is going to be on the shelf, while another might be getting another opportunity in the big time.
On Sunday, the San Jose Sharks announced that the team is placing defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin on injured reserve. In response, the Sharks are calling up defender Luca Cagnoni from their American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
The #SJSharks have recalled D Luca Cagnoni from the @sjbarracuda.
In a corresponding move, D Shakir Mukhamadullin has been placed on injured reserve.
What exactly is ailing Mukhamadullin hasn’t been announced by the team, though multiple reports say that he’s suffering from an upper-body injury. The Russian rearguard played in San Jose’s first game of the season against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 9, picking up two assists in the overtime defeat. However, he was listed as a healthy scratch two days later against the Anaheim Ducks.
Mukhamadullin hasn’t been in the lineup in the Sharks’ last four games, including being listed as a scratch for San Jose’s 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.
The 23-year-old came into the 2025-26 season with the expectation that he would be an everyday player for the rebuilding team. He re-signed with the Sharks this past May, agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract. The new deal came after Mukhamadullin appeared in 30 games with the big club, the most of his young NHL career. He potted two goals and seven assists for nine points, registering a plus/minus of -7 while averaging just over 18 minutes of ice time per game.
In 34 NHL appearances, Mukhamadullin has scored two goals and 10 assists for 12 points.
Cagnoni has been with the Barracuda since the start of the season, posting a goal in two games thus far. He’s coming off a fruitful rookie season in the AHL, scoring 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points in 64 games. He also notched three assists in six Calder Cup Playoff games. His efforts led to him being named to the league’s All-Rookie Team.
The 20-year-old played six games for the Sharks last season, posting two assists and a -4 rating.
The Sharks (0-3-2) begin a four-game road trip on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders.