The San Jose Sharks welcomed Shakir Mukhamadullin to North America on Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound defensemen arrived in San Jose after travelling from Russia. He was acquired by the Sharks in last month’s Timo Meier trade with the New Jersey Devils. San Jose quickly assigned Mukhamadullin to the San Jose Barracuda of the AHL where it appears he will finish the season after just completing his fourth year with Salavat Yulayev-Ufa of the KHL.
It is not yet known when the 2020 first-round pick will suit up for his first game, but early indications are that he could play as early as this weekend against the Texas Stars. Should he not be ready to play by the end of the week, he will likely dress against Colorado next Tuesday or Wednesday.
Salavat was just eliminated from the playoffs in the KHL conference quarterfinals, and now the young defenseman will have an opportunity to make a playoff push with the Barracuda as they have just 12 games left in the regular season. The Barracuda will certainly welcome the addition as they are without their top defenseman Derrick Pouliot, who has been playing with the Sharks recently.
Contractually, Mukhamadullin was loaned (by New Jersey) to Salavat Yulayev Ufa at the start of the season, meaning that he will play out the string under the first year of his entry-level deal. He was also on loan to Salavat last season but did not burn the first year of his contract, despite dressing in three playoff games for the Utica Comets.
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