For more than a season now, San Jose Sharks fans have waited to see what Shakir Mukhamadullin can do at the NHL level. We were teased with it last season, when the defenseman was called up in January. He played three games for the Sharks but was sent down as soon as the veteran defensemen were healthy enough to play. This time, the 22-year-old may not allow the Sharks to send him down again.
Mukhamadullin came in at number five on our Top 25 Under 25 list in 2023 and looked like he might have the opportunity for more games with the Sharks. Honestly, the only reason we feel like he received less of a chance in camp and during the season last year was that he was one of the only players who was waivers exempt. A victim of his youth, Mukhamadullin could be shuttled between the Barracuda and the Sharks without having to clear waivers, something that could not be said for more veteran defensemen.
Position: Defense
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 178 lbs.
Age: 22
Date of Birth: January 10, 2002
Draft Year: 2020 (20th overall by the New Jersey Devils)
Shoots: Left
2023-24 Team: San Jose Barracuda/San Jose Sharks
During his short, three-game stint with the Sharks, Mukhamadullin did not look out of place. He averaged more than 21 minutes per game and had an assist. With the Barracuda, Mukhamadullin had 34 points in 55 games. It was his first full season in the AHL. He had 10 points in 9 games with the Barracuda in 2022-23 when he came over from Russia.
What we like
Mukhamadullin has size in his favor. He’s big at 6-foot-4. The fact that he moves well with that big body is a major asset to the defenseman. He uses his stick well and breaks up plays, all things that will serve him well in the NHL.
“Mukhamadullin played big minutes on both special teams for the Barracuda. “He is a big defenseman who skates quite well for his size,” wrote Pronman. “He’s not overly physical, but Mukhamadullin’s feet and length allow him to break up plays and close on pucks. He has good hands and creates offense off the rush and from the blue line with his skill and shot.”
Meanwhile, Scott Wheeler of The Athletic highlighted Mukhamadullin’s raw tools in his February prospect rankings, taking note of how well he’s improved in the past season.
“His skating motion is actually not a major issue for me, with good extensions, feet that don’t drag, and the ability to go heel-to-heel and open himself up with the puck laterally,” wrote Wheeler. “He’s also got a hard one-timer (though his follow-through on his wrister lacks balance) and he’s more willing to take the 10 feet of space off of the offensive-zone blue line.
“He has driven results at both ends over the last couple of years with a game that looks more polished and has built a stronger foundation around his raw tools,” continued Wheeler. “He looks like he’s on a pretty clear NHL path now and there’s still more to untap there with his length and makeup.”
Areas of improvement
As with many young prospects, there are aspects of his game that Mukhamadullin can clean up. He doesn’t always make the right play, but that’s something he can learn over time. His footwork could use some polish, too. Sometimes, he looks like an awkward giraffe trying to catch up to the play. Thankfully, those moments are getting fewer and further between.
Overall, Mukhamadullin appears to be ready to take that next step, but if he ends up back with the Barracuda, there are things he could do to help round out his game. It would be interesting to see if the Sharks start testing out Mukhamadullin’s ability to play on the right side. The Sharks have a lot of left-side defensemen. A player that could play either side could be an asset.
It’s something he could explore with the Barracuda this season.
What’s next for Mukhamadullin?
And that’s the true problem for Mukhamadullin and his current status in teal. The Sharks, once again, have more potentially NHL-ready defensemen than roster spots available. Mukhamadullin is in danger of being on the outside looking in, if only because he’s still waivers eligible.
It feels like now is the right time to call him up to the NHL to truly see what he can do, but if the Sharks commit to that, who do they send to the press box in his place? $7 million man Marc-Edouard Vlasic? Newly acquired Jake Walman? Steadfast Mario Ferraro? Or young Henry Thrun, who also appears to be trying to solidify his spot on the roster.
While depth is a good problem to have, it should not be had at the expense of young defensemen looking to help the team take a step forward in the future. Mukhamadullin could become a solid piece of the Sharks’ rebuild, all he needs now is a shot.
Highlight
As we stated earlier, Mukhamadullin earned his first NHL point earlier this year, during his three game callup in January. Here’s a look at the assist.
Great angle of Shakir Mukhamadullin's first NHL point, a primary assist on Duclair’s goal off the rebound.#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/Xsw900aItS
— SnipeCity420 (@SnipeCity420) February 1, 2024
Mukhamadullin wasn’t afraid to shoot the puck and he found a lane to make sure the shot got on net. Anyone who has listened to Drew Remenda on Sharks’ broadcasts long enough knows that when you put the puck on the net, good things happen. That’s what happened for Mukhamadullin, who created chaos with that shot and eventually, it ended up in the back of the net.
Top 25 Under 25 so far
8. Filip Bystedt
9. Thomas Bordeleau
10. Henry Thrun
11. Kasper Halttunen
12. Igor Chernyshov
13. Luca Cagnoni
14. Danil Gushchin
15. Leo Sahlin Wallenius
16. Collin Graf
17. Jack Thompson
18. Ethan Cardwell
19. Cameron Lund
20. Eric Pohlkamp
21. Ty Dellandrea
22. Mattias Havelid
23. Jake Furlong
24. Georgi Romanov
25. Tristen Robins
Honorable Mention: Brandon Svoboda, Gannon Laroque, Brandon Coe, Carson Wetsch and Valtteri Pulli
