Sharks Notes: Kostin, Vanecek, Eklund, Walman

The San Jose Sharks have activated the forward Klim Kostin from the injured reserve. Kostin has missed the Sharks’ last five games with an upper-body injury, but is unlikely to play tonight and will serve as a reserve player. Kostin has had several periods this season where he was a substitute due to poor performance, including a three-week period in November. The former first-round pick proved to be a solid depth option in Edmonton during the 2022-23 season, but has only one goal and three assists in 20 games this year.

In other Sharks notes:

• The Sharks placed the goalie Vitek Vanecek on injured reserve. The 28-year-old has not played in almost two weeks and can be activated as soon as he is healthy enough to play again. It’s been an uphill battle for Vanecek this season as he posted a 3-8-1 record with a .885 save percentage and a 3.84 goals-against average. Vanecek was acquired from the New Jersey Devils in March and is in the final season of a three-year, $10.2 million contract.
• Sharks forward William Eklund is daily dealing with an upper body injury (according to Max Miller of The Hockey News). The 22-year-old suffered a nasty blow Tyler Myers in the first period of Monday night’s game against Vancouver and missed the second and third periods. The Sharks don’t seem too concerned at the moment and are monitoring Eklund’s recovery. The former seventh overall pick in 2021 has been sloppy with the puck at times this season, but his playmaking skills and offensive instincts have been on full display. In 36 games this season, Eklund has seven goals and 20 assists.
• Finally the Sharks defender Jake Walman is also out day-to-day with a lower-body injury (per Max Miller of The Hockey News). Walman apparently suffered an injury in Saturday’s game against Edmonton and will miss his second straight game tonight. The 28-year-old has already set a career high with 25 points (five goals and 20 assists) in just 31 games this season.