The San Jose Sharks will face the Vancouver Canucks without their top defensemen in the lineup. It is reported that Jake Walman is now injured and out day-to-day due to a lower-body injury.
Sharks’ Jake Walman out day-to-day with lower-body injury https://t.co/lAYXpuBX9W
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 23, 2024
Jake Walman Injured Before Holiday Break
Walman is the number one top defenseman for the San Jose Sharks. It is unclear as when Walman was injured or the severity of this injury.
Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky informed the media on Monday. “We’ll see how the next few days go, but he’s day-to-day,”
Walman missed five games for the Sharks in November. He was a healthy scratch and then was out for an upper-body injury.
Sharks Top Defensemen Having Stellar Season
Walman played Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers where the Sharks lost 3-2 in overtime. He recorded his 2nd highest ice time with 25:51 with over 30 shifts during the game. He gained an assist, putting him at 20 for this season. That assist helped him bypass Erik Karlsson for the fastest defenseman in franchise history.
Jake Walman helped the @SanJoseSharks take a 2-1 lead and became the ninth defenseman to hit the 25-point mark this season.
Catch the rest of the game on @Sportsnet. #NHLStats: https://t.co/0LsSxn3b6u pic.twitter.com/sYrLjoSrd7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 21, 2024
He has 25 points in 31 this season with the Sharks, already bypassing his total points from previous seasons.
Walman is leading the Sharks defence in goal scoring and is now the 12th NHL blueliner to reach the 20-assist mark. He has also been used as the top defender in power plays for the Sharks and is an asset in penalty kills.
A Jake Walman ROCKET!
pic.twitter.com/LyPOqXtACf
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) November 29, 2024
Walman Finds Success As A San Jose Shark
Walman was traded to the Sharks from the Detroit Red Wings in June of 2024. During his three-season run with Detroit, he recorded a total of 43 points for 145 games. Since being traded he has already scored half the points in 31 games played this season.
The San Jose Sharks have lost their last four games and are looking to end that streak, hopefully before the three day break.
Defense Line Up Gets Changes and Promise of More Time On Ice
Warsofsky is hoping the team will step up and fill the gap that would be Walman. “Can break out pucks, is obviously a really good skater, can get out of our own end, defends with a purpose, helps on our power play, So we need some guys to step up tonight.”
At this time it looks like Henry Thrun will move into the lineup to replace Walman and will play alongside Cody Ceci. Thrun has been healthy scratched the last few games against the St. Louis Blues, Utah Hockey Club and the Winnipeg Jets.
Thrun has an averaged ice time of 14:37 in the last two games against the Colorado Avalanche and the Edmonton Oilers. Filling into Walmans position on Monday will allow him more time on the ice.
Sharks Shake up Roster Leading Up to Monday’s Game
The Sharks are not only mixing up their defense lines due to Walman’s injury. It has been noted that the forwards lines have also changed.
Warsofsky has moved Forward Mikael Granlund to top line wing alongside Tyler Toffoli and Macklin Celebrini. Granlund is the Sharks top offensive player on the roster with 32 points. This change comes after four consecutive losses and in the hopes that this helps boost the forwards in playing harder and more aggressive.
Nikolai Kovalenko had played on the first line, with Granlund taking his place he has been shifted down. He has moved to play on the same line with Luke Kunin and Fabian Zetterlund.
Holiday Break Needed To Get Healthy And Make A Come Back
San Jose faces the Vancouver Canucks on Monday before they take three days break for the holiday. The Sharks will play the Las Vegas Knights Friday, December 27th.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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