Igor Chernyshov Is HERE To Stay

"Chernyshov does a great job of working his tail off without the puck, and he’s not afraid of anything" -Steven Ellis of the Daily Faceoff.

The 20-year-old Russian has provided an instant spark to the San Jose Sharks' offense since his recall on December 15th. With star forward Will Smith knocked out with an upper-body injury, it was difficult to see how the Sharks were going to replace his nearly point per game production. Enter Chernyshov.

Igor Chernyshov has one goal and four assists in the Sharks' five games. While the production has been outstanding, Chernyshov brings a different element to San Jose: A true power forward that the Sharks haven't seen since Timo Meier was traded away. Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith win because of cerebral thinking and high hockey IQ, but sometimes you need a wrecking ball.

When Chernyshov played in the KHL, he mostly played in the bottom six, where he played a grind-it-out style. This is usually the last thing that young, skilled players have to learn: how to play with detail. Chernyshov quickly learned to adapt his game and how to combine his skills and size with playing the "right way" that keeps him in the lineup.

The Igor Chernyshov Deep Dive

Many draft pundits feel like the San Jose Sharks got a steal at 33 when they selected forward Igor Chernyshov out of the KHL. At 6′3″ and 204 pounds, Chernyshov has the makings of a power forward who can complement the skill the Sharks have added over the past few

The ReefJD Young

Don't read this as Chernyshov is a grinder who goes straight to the net with reckless abandonment. Chernyshov is as skilled as they come. You don't score 55 points in 23 OHL games without having skill. Yes, playing with Michael Misa helps, but when Chernyshov was called up from the San Jose Barracuda, he was leading the Cuda in points and was among the AHL leaders in points as a rookie. Chernyshov can hold his own in the production department.

It was also telling that the Sharks/Barracuda were getting ready for him to take the next step when Chernyshov was getting penalty kill time on the Cuda. That's usually the sign of finishing school for a player who will make the jump.

For those worried that Chernyshov might return to the AHL after Will Smith returns from his injury, if Chernyshov continues to play the way he is, it will be someone else on the move.