Sharks Practice Report: Eklund Has Upper-Body Injury, Will Smith Switches Up Lines | San Jose Hockey Now

Published

on

By

CHICAGO — William Eklund was not on the ice at practice on Wednesday.

San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky shared that Eklund has a “little nagging” upper-body injury and is “probably a game-time decision” for Thursday’s tilt against the Chicago Blackhawks.

It’s unclear how long that Eklund has been suffering from this injury.

For what it’s worth, San Jose Hockey Now saw Eklund working out on his own as the Sharks were taking the ice for practice, with no obvious impairments.

In place of Eklund, Danil Gushchin joined the San Jose Sharks’ top line. Also, Will Smith and Alex Wennberg flip-flopped center spots.

This is how the Sharks skated today:

Gushchin-Granlund-ToffoliKostin-Wennberg-ZetterlundGoodrow-W. Smith-KuninGrundstrom-Sturm-Dellandrea

Walman-CeciFerraro-RuttaThrun-Benning

Winger Givani Smith and defenseman Jack Thompson also rotated in.

Warsofsky didn’t commit to any of these changes for Thursday night’s showdown.

Eklund has just one assist this season, but per Natural Stat Trick, he leads the San Jose Sharks with 13 Scoring Chances.

The Sharks have scored just six goals in three games this season — four on opening night — so they’ll certainly miss Eklund’s offensive prowess.

‘Frustrated’ Will Smith Off to Slow Start, But Warsofsky Has Patience

Sharks Betting vs. Blackhawks; Props and Lines

Δ

Δ

Don’t love Smiths demotion to a grinder line. I forsee a few missed tap ins from Kunin if Smith gets a good feed. Maybe they can retrieve pucks better and give him some space in the offensive zone or something. Ice time will remain the same at least unfortunately.Good to see Daniil getting his break. I think he’s going to excel on the top line and bring some jump.

I agree that Smith’s demotion isn’t helpful for him in the near term, but he was so uninvolved in the play last night that it seems deserved. He looks like he’s 1-2 years away from being an NHL player to me, especially as a center, where his fundamentals will need to be way better (cue the overreaction comments, which might be justified, and hopefully he turns the corner quickly).

One positive I take away is that they are keeping him at center instead of flipping him to the wing, which would be the natural response if you think he’s got an immature game.

Smith’s line has been terrible the last 2 games while playing 4th line minutes. Something needed to change and this probably makes the most sense (besides benching him).

Hope he recovers quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Thompson draw in for Benning soon. The latter barely played last night, and the second PP unit could use a little more skill.

Sucks about Eklund.

I am little more worried about Smith. He looks over matched lost and is playing without confidence. I see him on the same path as Eklund, a year with the Cuda. Hope it isn’t needed and it’s only 3 games but he just doesn’t look NHL ready at the moment.

Agree with Joseph on Thompson for Benning. Would help the PP2 and have another puck mover 5v5. Who does he pair with? Mario or Thrun.

I think with Smith it is more learning when he has more time. A lot of things I see him doing are not really the wrong play, in fact they maybe the right play, if he is under duress. Problem is he is not under duress and has not realized how much time he has. He might be trying to be too responsible. The demotion to 3rd line, is to get him some weaker competition. To learn he has more time. Not about compliment or points, it is more gaining some swagger. Not comparing the two but he could learn… Read more »

If anyone can recall, there was a time when William took some games on the third line. He learned how to elevate his play. Hoping the same happens for Smith.

My bet is Gushin is just on that line as a fill in for practice. Hope Eklund isn’t hurt bad. He’s looked great so far this season.

Looks like someone hates Eklund and wishes he is hurt bad… 😮

I don’t agree with some things you say. Other things you say seem to be insiteful. I don’t understand the down vote on your original statement here. Hoping Eklund is ok seems something we should all hope for.

This tam is going to have a lot of growing pains. As much as it seems negative to have Eklund (maybe) and Celebrini out, the silver lining is that there’s more playing time for younger players like Smith, Dellandrea and Gushchin. Give them 18 minutes on lines with Granlund and Toffoli, and see what they can bring. This is a season where several Sharks players should get chances to see what they can do in a variety of settings. These players aren’t ’18 minutes a night NHL players’, but getting a chance to do that is an experience they can… Read more »

Help fund Sheng's travel! Every dollar goes to the cost of getting to and from Sharks road games.

Click here to contribute to Sheng's travel pool!

Enter your email address to get all of our articles delivered directly to your inbox.

Email Address

Sign up!