- The Sharks are hoping that defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov will be able to start skating next week but his availability for the start of the season is in question, notes Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News (Twitter link). The 23-year-old had sports hernia surgery over the summer after playing through it last season. Knyzhov still managed to play in all 56 games in 2020-21, picking up 10 points while averaging 16:45 per contest.