Defensemen can take quite a while to develop and become regulars at the NHL level; that’s not a secret in the world of hockey. With that being said, though, at 23 years of age, Shakir Mukhamadullin had already shown what he can accomplish at the American Hockey League level; now it’s time for him to do so in the NHL.
It’s been five years since Mukhamadullin was drafted 20th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. After coming over from the Russian Kontinental Hockey League in the middle of the 2022-23 season, he bounced around the AHL and NHL. He finished that season with the San Jose Barracuda before splitting time between them and the Sharks the following two seasons.
Mukhamadullin’s first (mostly) full season in the AHL, he represented the Barracuda in the All-Star Game and finished the season with a respectable amount of offensive production from the blue line. He scored seven goals and totaled 34 points in 55 AHL games. He also made his NHL debut that season, finishing a short three-game stint with a single assist.
During the 2024-25 season, he had two separate stints with the Sharks, playing a career-high 30 games and finishing with nine points. While there were certainly aspects of his game that need continued development, he didn’t look overly out of place in the NHL. An injury sidelined him late in the season, as he suffered a season-ending upper-body injury on April 1 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Looking forward, Mukhamadullin needs to find a way to stand out at the NHL level. While starting the offseason recovering from an injury is certainly less than ideal, he’s expected to make a full recovery and be ready for training camp this fall.
Sam Dickinson is another player pushing for a roster spot, while the Sharks are already overloaded with left-handed defensemen. As a result, this coming season makes it seem as if it’s Mukhamadullin’s best chance to solidify his spot on the Sharks’ blue line. As we’ve seen in the past, once a player gets overtaken on the depth chart, there’s a chance they never get that spot back.
Mukhamadullin also signed a one-year contract extension back in May, which gives him a chance to prove what he brings to the table and earn a major payday in 12 months time.
Everything seems to be lining up for a Mukhamadullin breakout season if he’s able to stay healthy, but in order for that to happen, he’s going to have to earn a spot in training camp, which will be no easy feat. In terms of development, though, it’s time for him to play a full season in the NHL.
