San Jose Sharks place Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev on injured reserve: Top line decimated after brutal board crashes

The San Jose Sharks have been forced to place two of their most productive forwards on injured reserve, delivering a significant blow to a team that has shown remarkable resilience this season. Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev both sustained injuries during Saturday’s dramatic 6-5 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, with each player crashing into the boards in separate incidents that highlight the physical toll of professional hockey.

The team announced the roster moves on Monday, December 15, 2025, officially sidelining both players for at least the upcoming three-game homestand. In response, San Jose recalled forwards Igor Chernyshov and Ethan Cardwell from their AHL affiliate in San Jose to fill the gaps in the lineup. The injuries come at a particularly challenging moment for the Sharks, who were just beginning to establish consistent chemistry on their top offensive line.

How the injuries occurred: two crashes that changed everything

The sequence of events that led to both injuries unfolded during what became a franchise-defining comeback victory in Pittsburgh. Smith and Kurashev, who had been skating alongside rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini on San Jose’s top line, both found themselves in vulnerable positions against the unforgiving boards at PPG Paints Arena.

Philipp Kurashev’s second-period scare

Kurashev was the first to go down, leaving the game in the second period after chasing a puck into the corner and colliding violently with the boards. The Swiss forward appeared to be favoring his upper body immediately after the impact and headed to the bench for treatment. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky offered no immediate update post-game, but the visual evidence suggested a significant impact that would require further evaluation. Kurashev has been a revelation for San Jose this season, having rediscovered his offensive game after a difficult 2024-25 campaign, and his career revival had become one of the team’s most compelling storylines.

Will Smith’s third-period departure

Smith’s injury occurred later in the contest and proved even more dramatic. The dynamic center took a heavy hit from Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon, sending him crashing into the boards in what teammates immediately recognized as a dangerous play. The impact was severe enough that Celebrini, Smith’s close friend and linemate, immediately jumped to his defense, engaging Wotherspoon in a scrum that many believe sparked the emotional fire for San Jose’s historic four-goal third-period comeback.

Coach Warsofsky expressed uncertainty about the hit’s legality in his post-game comments. “I gotta go back and watch it again,” he told reporters. “Obviously, in a little bit of a vulnerable spot. See if it was a little high.” Smith left the game favoring his right side, and the organization’s decision to place him on injured reserve indicates the injury is substantial enough to require multiple games of recovery.

Impact on the Sharks’ offensive structure

The loss of Smith and Kurashev represents more than just two roster spots; it dismantles San Jose’s most effective offensive unit and removes the primary support system for their Calder Trophy front-runner.

Deconstructing the top line’s chemistry

Celebrini, Smith, and Kurashev had developed undeniable chemistry over recent weeks, giving the Sharks their first truly dangerous line since the rebuild began. The trio combined speed, skill, and playmaking ability that consistently generated high-danger scoring chances and forced opposing defenses to account for multiple threats. Smith’s on-ice vision and finishing ability (12 goals, 17 assists) perfectly complemented Celebrini’s explosive acceleration and Kurashev’s two-way reliability.

This line had become San Jose’s security blanket in close games, often generating momentum shifts through sustained offensive zone time. Their ability to cycle the puck and create space for each other had been evident in recent victories, including a game where Will Smith scored a late winner against Winnipeg. Without both wingers, the Sharks must now completely reimagine their forward combinations.

Statistical void that’s impossible to ignore

The numbers tell a stark story about what San Jose loses with these injuries:

• Will Smith: 12 goals, 17 assists, 29 points (second on the team), averaging 18:42 of ice time per game
• Philipp Kurashev: 6 goals, 9 assists, 15 points in 31 games, with strong possession metrics and penalty kill contributions

Combined, that’s 18 goals and 44 points removed from a lineup that already ranks in the bottom third of NHL scoring. More concerning is the timing: the Sharks are about to embark on a crucial three-game homestand against divisional opponents, games that could determine their playoff positioning heading into the holiday break.

Recalled reinforcements: Chernyshov and Cardwell get their chance

San Jose’s response to this crisis demonstrates the organization’s improved depth development. Rather than scrambling for external solutions, the Sharks turned to two prospects who have been excelling in the American Hockey League.

Igor Chernyshov: AHL’s rookie scoring machine

The 20-year-old Russian forward represents the crown jewel of San Jose’s prospect pipeline. Selected in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, Chernyshov has adjusted seamlessly to North American hockey, ranking among the AHL’s rookie scoring leaders:

• 23 points in 24 games (fourth among AHL rookies)
• 11 goals (tied for third among rookies)
• 12 assists (tied for eighth among rookies)

His offensive instincts and ability to create scoring chances make him an ideal candidate to fill the creative void left by Smith’s absence. While his defensive game is still developing, his natural scoring touch could provide the Sharks with a different kind of threat on the top line.

Ethan Cardwell: Veteran AHL presence

At 23, Cardwell brings more professional experience to the situation. His numbers with the AHL Barracuda this season—3 goals and 6 assists in 14 games—don’t jump off the page, but his familiarity with the Sharks system matters. He’s already appeared in four NHL games this season, scoring one goal and showing he can handle the speed and physicality of the highest level.

Cardwell’s two-way reliability and responsible play away from the puck make him a safer option for lower-line duty, allowing coach Warsofsky to protect Celebrini while still rolling four capable lines.

What this means for San Jose’s immediate future

The Sharks now face a critical test of their organizational depth and resilience. The upcoming three-game homestand against Pacific Division rivals will reveal whether this team has truly turned a corner or if they remain overly dependent on their top performers.

Adjusting expectations for the homestand

Realistically, San Jose must temper offensive expectations. The team will likely need to win through tight defensive play, strong goaltending, and opportunistic scoring rather than the free-flowing attack they’ve displayed recently. Coach Warsofsky may need to employ a more conservative system, particularly in the first period while new line combinations find their rhythm.

Special teams could become even more critical. The power play will miss Smith’s distribution skills, while the penalty kill loses Kurashev’s reliable presence. These units must maintain their recent improvement for the Sharks to steal points during this challenging stretch.

Long-term implications beyond three games

While the team has only confirmed these players will miss the homestand, upper-body injuries from board impacts can linger. The Sharks must balance short-term competitiveness with long-term player health, especially considering Smith (20) and Kurashev’s (25) importance to the franchise’s future.

The situation also accelerates Chernyshov’s development timeline. If he excels during this opportunity, he may force management to reconsider whether another AHL season is necessary. Similar opportunities launched unexpected NHL careers, and the Sharks’ front office will watch his adaptation closely.

San Jose’s handling of this adversity could define their season. Teams that navigate injury crises often emerge stronger, developing secondary scoring and building the kind of depth that pays dividends in March and April. For a franchise rebuilding through youth, this moment—painful as it is—might accelerate the development of the next wave of Sharks talent.