As the San Jose Sharks gear up for their training camp, they are already facing setbacks with injuries to several key players. General Manager Mike Grier announced that four notable players, Yaroslav Askarov, Logan Couture, Shakir Mukhamadullin, and Marc-Edouard Vlasic, will miss the start of camp due to injuries.
Logan Couture’s Long-Term Absence
Logan Couture, the team’s captain and highest-paid player, continues to struggle with a lingering lower-body injury from osteitis pubis, a condition that causes severe pain and inflammation in the groin area. Couture has not played since January 2024 and is expected to begin the season on injured reserve. His availability for the 2024-25 season remains uncertain, raising concerns about his long-term future with the Sharks.
Injuries to Mukhamadullin and Askarov Delay Prospects’ Evaluation
Shakir Mukhamadullin and Yaroslav Askarov, two promising prospects for the Sharks, are also sidelined with lower-body injuries. Mukhamadullin, who joined the team as part of the Timo Meier trade, was expected to make a push for a roster spot after impressing in the AHL last season. Similarly, Askarov, a highly touted goaltender acquired from the Nashville Predators, is seen as a future cornerstone of the Sharks’ goaltending, but his injury will delay further assessment.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s Injury and Potential Role Reduction
Veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic is out with an upper-body injury, though it is not expected to keep him sidelined for long. Despite his injury, Vlasic’s role on the team could be further diminished this season, following offseason acquisitions of defensemen Jake Walman and Cody Ceci. Vlasic, once one of the league’s premier shutdown defensemen, has seen a steady reduction in his ice time over the past few seasons.
Looking Ahead
The injury setbacks have created early challenges for the San Jose Sharks as they prepare for the new season. With key players missing the start of training camp, the team will need to adapt quickly and look to other roster members to step up.
