Sharks’ Will Smith Progresses in Rehab, Return Timeline Uncertain

San Jose Sharks forward Will Smith is making progress in his recovery from an upper-body injury, but uncertainty remains regarding his return to practice. Ryan Warsofsky, head coach of the Sharks, confirmed on Friday that Smith has been participating in team meetings and engaging in workouts at the practice facility. However, he did not provide a definitive timeline for when the 20-year-old player might rejoin the team on the ice.

“I think we’ll have a better answer for you on Monday,” stated Warsofsky when asked about Smith’s potential return to practice. “He’s getting better every day. That’s the most important thing.” Smith sustained his injury during the third period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 9, 2023, when he collided with defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon. Following the hit, Smith was seen clutching his right side as he exited the ice.

In addition to Smith, forward Philipp Kurashev also suffered an upper-body injury during the same game and is expected to be sidelined for at least a week. While Smith is no longer using a sling for his right shoulder, the Sharks are prioritizing a cautious approach to his rehabilitation to ensure he returns fully fit.

The Sharks faced a mixed week on the ice, securing a 6-3 victory against the Calgary Flames on December 12, followed by a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on December 14. They are set to conclude their three-game homestand with a match against the Seattle Kraken on December 16. Following this game, the team will practice on Monday before heading to Las Vegas for a matchup against the Golden Knights on December 19, their last game before the Christmas break. Their first game after the holiday will take place on December 27 against the Vancouver Canucks.

Despite missing the last two games, Smith remains a key player for the Sharks, currently ranking as the team’s second-highest scorer with 29 points in 33 games. His absence has been felt, particularly as teammate Macklin Celebrini leads the NHL in scoring with 53 points in 35 games. In recent games, Celebrini has been partnered with Collin Graf and Igor Chernyshov while Smith and Kurashev recover.

In other team news, rookie defenseman Sam Dickinson is expected to return to the lineup against the Kraken after being a healthy scratch for the past two games. Warsofsky did not clarify whether the Sharks are considering loaning Dickinson to the Canadian National team for the upcoming World Junior Championships, starting December 26 in Minnesota.

When questioned about Dickinson’s status, Warsofsky commented, “Do we feel like he’s improving here with what we have and what we’re doing? Obviously, we have eight healthy defensemen right now. We don’t want them sitting out. He’s going to play for us tomorrow.” Earlier this week, the Sharks loaned center Michael Misa to the Canadian team, where he is expected to play a pivotal role alongside talented prospects such as Gavin McKenna and Porter Martone.

As the Sharks navigate through player injuries and upcoming games, fans remain hopeful for Smith’s swift recovery and return to the ice.