Smith, Kurashev injured; Cardwell, Chernyshov recalled

"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."

"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"

Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev were placed on injured reserve after sustaining injuries during the Sharks' game in Pittsburgh. Kurashev hit the boards in the second period, received bench treatment, and did not return for the third period. Smith was hit during a third-period power play, left the ice grabbing his arm, and was listed with an upper-body injury; he may be out longer than a week. The Sharks recalled Ethan Cardwell, who has prior NHL experience and defensive reliability, and Igor Chernyshov, a 2024 second-round pick who ranks highly in AHL scoring and will make his NHL debut.

Read at Fear the Fin