Sharks place Eklund on IR, but leading defenseman could be out longer

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks placed William Eklund on injured reserve Tuesday but coach Ryan Warsofsky said he expects the Swedish-born forward to return to the team’s lineup quicker than top-scoring defenseman Jake Walman.

Eklund (upper body) was injured on Dec. 23 when he was caught by a massive but clean hit by defenseman Tyler Myers in the first period of San Jose’s road game against the Vancouver Canucks. Eklund did not play in the second or third periods in a 4-3 Sharks loss.

Warsofsky said Eklund’s status is considered day-to-day and not “week-to-week,” offering some encouragement that the winger, who had 27 points in 36 games this season, would not have to miss significant time.

Because he hasn’t played since Dec. 23, Eklund would be eligible to come off IR as soon as Thursday when the Sharks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Eklund skated Monday after the Sharks finished practice and came out of it well, Warsofsky said, and the team could learn more about Eklund’s outlook after Wednesday.

Still, regarding a return, Warosfsky said Eklund is a little ahead of Walman, who was injured in the Sharks’ Dec. 21 road game against the Edmonton Oilers and has now missed four straight games and counting.

“(Eklund’s) more day-to-day,” Warsofsky said. “I’d say he might be a little bit closer than (Walman).”

Walman led all Sharks defensemen before Tuesday with 25 points in 31 games and led all skaters with 22:50 in average ice time as he played both on the power play and penalty kill and on the top defense pair with Cody Ceci.

Before Tuesday, the Sharks were 2-5-1 this season without Walman in the lineup. He also missed time in November with an upper-body injury.

“It affects us,” Warosfsky said of Walman’s absence. “He’s a big guy, a puck-moving defenseman, and was on our top pair to shut down teams. Especially when you’re at home, you can get your matchups. So not having him has been a challenge, but I think some guys have stepped up.”

Without Walman, the Sharks have had Henry Thrun fill in on the Sharks’ top defense pair alongside Ceci. Those two remained together for the start of Tuesday’s game.

“I think Henry Thrun is starting to find his groove here a little bit,” Warsofsky said. “Some things he needs to continue to improve on, but I think he’s stepped up in a good way on that top pair.”

With Eklund on IR, the Sharks recalled forward Collin Graf from the Barracuda of the AHL because forward Fabian Zetterlund is dealing with an upper-body ailment and was considered questionable for Tuesday’s game.

Zetterlund, though, dressed Tuesday and started on a line with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Before Tuesday, Zetterlund had three assists in his last three games and 26 points in 39 games this season,

Besides Eklund and Walman, forward Carl Grundstrom did not play against the Flyers because of an upper-body injury he sustained during Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames. Grundstrom was injured in the first period by a hit from Flames defenseman Brayden Pachal, left the game, and did not return.

Graf, 22, started the season in the AHL and is second on the Barracuda with 26 points in 29 games. He has two points, both assists, in seven career NHL games, all of which came last season after he signed an entry-level contract with the Sharks in April as a free agent out of Quinnipiac University.

“It’s about earning call-ups and earning ice time,” Warsofsky said. “You’ve got to earn what you get and I think Collin Graf has earned this call-up. He’s played some really good hockey, talking to the staff down there, and I’ve watched a few games. He’s skating a lot more. I thought he had a good training camp, but he’s skated a lot more than when he came in last year.”

The Sharks were looking to end a seven-game losing streak that began on Dec. 14. They have fallen to eighth and last place in the Pacific Division.

Following Thursday’s game against the Lightning, the Sharks finish their homestand with games against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday and the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan. 7.