The San Jose Sharks will be without two key forwards for at least the next few weeks. The team placed Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev on injured reserve earlier this week because of injuries they suffered during Saturday’s game in Pittsburgh.
Kurashev went hard into the boards in the second period. While it was a Penguins’ influenced play, it wasn’t necessarily dirty.
Kurashev goes hard into the boards. Currently on the bench getting treatment. No penalty on the play.#LetsGoPens 2, #TheFutureIsTeal 1 pic.twitter.com/gTi4zEglS5
— TEAL TOWN USA – A San Jose Sharks Podcast (@TEALTOWNUSA) December 13, 2025
He went to the bench and then did not return to the game for the third period.
Then in the third period, Smith was on the ice for the Sharks’ power play. He turned away from a check and was hit hard. He left the ice grabbing his arm and also did not return to the game. While the Sharks have called it an upper-body injury, it’s pretty easy to speculate about what Smith’s injury might be. While pure speculation, it looks like the 19-year-old will be out for longer than a week.
Sharks call up Cardwell, Chernyshov
In place of Kurashev and Smith, the Sharks have called up two forwards from the Barracuda – Ethan Cardwell and Igro Chernyshov. Cardwell’s return to San Jose is no surprise. The 23-year-old has done well in his previous stints with the Sharks and has shown himself to be defensively responsible as well.
As for Igor Chernyshov, this will be his NHL debut. The 20-year-old was selected 33rd overall in the 2024 NHL draft, the first player selected in the second round. He is in his first professional season and ranks 17th in the AHL in scoring with 23 points in 25 games. He has 11 goals and 12 assists.
This is Chernyshov’s second season playing on North American ice and he seems to have taken to it like a fish to water. It’s this adaptability that placed him eighth on Fear the Fin’s Top 25 Sharks Under 25 list in the fall. The forward’s first season was dynamic, with 55 points in 23 games playing in the OHL. That production led to the jump to the AHL. His ability to again produce at the next level is the reason why the Sharks are calling him up now and fans should be excited to see what he can do.
Where will Chernyshov and Cardwell play?
Cardwell will likely be asked to take on some of the role that Kurashev was filling, occasionally killing penalties and moving up and down the lineup as needed. Look for him to fill in on the second or third line, depending on where Jeff Skinner and Tyler Toffoli are slotted into the lineup.
As for Chernyshov, if the coaching staff is willing to give him the best opportunity to succeed from the get-go, then they’ll unleash him on the NHL. Chernyshov played alongside Saginaw Spirit in the OHL last season. He knows what it’s like to play with smart, creative hockey players. Placing him alongside Macklin Celebrini and Collin Graf would be the ideal coming out for the forward.
Remember, unlike Misa, Chernyshov has the size to compete with NHL players. The Sharks’ website lists him at 6’2″, 195 pounds. He can compete with the top players in the league.
That said, knowing the coaching staff, it will likely be the reverse. We’ll likely see Cardwell on the top line with Celebrini and Graf and Chernyshov on the third line with Skinner and Ty Dellandrea.
