SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks placed winger Ryan Reaves on injured reserve Sunday and recalled forward Ethan Cardwell from the San Jose Barracuda, according to the team’s roster on the NHL’s Media website.
Reaves, 38, sustained a lower-body injury in the second period of the Sharks’ game against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Reaves had a breakaway and was able to get a backhand shot on goal as he fought off a check from Devils winger Paul Cotter, but he tripped over the glove of goalie Jake Allen and fell hard on his back.
Reaves left the game and did not return as the Sharks won 5-2.
Reaves was seen the next day wearing a walking boot. But before Saturday’s home game against the Colorado Avalanche, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Reaves’ injury was more day-to-day than week-to-week.
The Sharks only had 12 healthy forwards in their 3-2 overtime victory over the Avalanche. San Jose hosts the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday at 5 p.m. Also on IR right now for the Sharks are forward Adam Gaudette and defenseman Nick Leddy, who are both dealing with upper-body maladies.
Reaves, who has become a vocal leader within the Sharks’ dressing room since being acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in July, will have to remain on IR for at least seven days, retroactive to Friday.
Before Thursday’s game, Reaves had two goals in eight games and had fights against Ross Johnston of the Anaheim Ducks and Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers.
Cardwell, 23, has two goals and two points in seven games with the Barracuda this season. He has one goal in six career NHL games, although it was not immediately known if he would play Sunday against the Red Wings.
Defenseman Timothy Liljegren was injured during Saturday’s game but remained on the Sharks’ active roster as of Sunday morning.
Sitting on the Sharks’ bench, Liljegren was struck in the face by a deflected puck midway through the first period. Liljegren was immediately treated by the Sharks’ training staff and helped to the team’s dressing room.
Warsofsky said after the game that Liljegren, who had emerged as a top-pair defenseman averaging 22:50 in ice time, was still being evaluated, but that his injury would likely not keep him out long-term.
Also on the Sharks roster as of Sunday was defenseman Sam Dickinson, who was scratched from Saturday’s lineup. Dickinson has played in nine games this season, and if he plays a 10th NHL game, the first year of his entry-level contract will be burned. Warsofsky on Saturday didn’t rule out playing the rookie defenseman against the Red Wings.
Please check back for updates to this story.