Sharks' Nikita Okhotyuk: Skates at Thursday's practice
Rotowire
Okhotyuk (abdomen) was at practice Thursday and general manager Mike Grier said it was "good to see him skating the way he was skating" after the session, Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now reports.
Okhotyuk underwent core muscle surgery in April. He'll be competing for a roster spot in training camp now that he's recovered from the procedure, but there's a good chance the 22-year-old defenseman opens the season with AHL San Jose. He has three points in 15 career NHL games, all with the Devils.
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Sharks' Nikita Okhotyuk: Undergoes surgery
Rotowire
Okhotyuk underwent core muscle surgery Monday and is expected to recover in time for training camp.
Okhotyuk had one goal in 10 games with the Devils this season, but he didn't play at the NHL level after he was traded to the Sharks in the Timo Meier deal. Okhotyuk will likely contend for a roster spot in training camp in September, assuming he doesn't suffer a setback over the summer.
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Sharks' Nikita Okhotyuk: Sent to Sharks
Rotowire
San Jose acquired Okhotyuk, Fabian Zetterlund, Andreas Johnsson, Shakir Mukhamadullin and three draft picks, including a 2023 first, from New Jersey in exchange for Timo Meier (upper body), Scott Harrington, Timur Ibragimov, Santeri Hatakka, Zachary Emond and a fifth-round pick Sunday.
Okhotyuk has one goal and 31 hits in 10 NHL games this season. He's also tallied six points in 20 AHL contests. The 22-year-old blueliner was the 61st overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Okhotyuk could be promoted to the top level soon.
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Devils' Nikita Okhotyuk: Sent to AHL
Rotowire
Okhotyuk was reassigned to AHL Utica on Saturday.
This move isn't surprising since the Devils won't play again until Feb. 6, when they face the Canucks. Okhotyuk has a goal and 31 hits in 10 NHL games this season, after scoring a pair of goals and adding four assists in 17 AHL games earlier in the campaign.
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Devils' Nikita Okhotyuk: Recalled from AHL
Rotowire
Okhotyuk was recalled from AHL Utica on Thursday.
Okhotyuk has played 17 games for Utica this season, scoring twice and adding four assists. He was selected in the second round, 61st overall, in 2019 and managed to score his first NHL goal last season as he played in five games for the Devils.
