Joel Ward feels “pretty lucky” shoulder injury was not worse

SAN JOSE — Forward Joel Ward is optimistic that he can return to the Sharks ‘ lineup sometime this season after his right shoulder was injured two days ago in a hard collision against the boards at SAP Center.

Ward had to leave Thursday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights after he absorbed a hard hit from Nate Schmidt in the second period. Although the shoulder remains stiff, Ward said he will not need surgery and that the injury started to feel better the next day.

Ward, who was not wearing a sling when he met with reporters Saturday at the Sharks’ practice facility, said he was “a little worried at first, for sure, but kind of woke up a lot better. Just get some treatment done again and hopefully get back in, hopefully soon, but I don’t know when.”

Get Sharks news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Sharks Report newsletter.

Ward has not had X-rays yet as swelling remains in the injured area, but there is no indication anything is broken. Ward said his latest injury is unrelated to the one he had last season when he needed surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

Related Articles Former Sharks providing full value to Stanley Cup-bound teams

Home sweet home? Giants, visitors at Oracle Park, tie franchise record in win

Sharks will soon make Bob Boughner their full-time coach, per report

Game Changers: Four years after Kaepernick kneeled, a look at Bay Area sports leaders who stood before him

Sharks reach agreement with depth centerman on two-year deal “Pretty lucky, actually,” Ward said. “I thought that the way that it felt after (the hit), I kind of had some numbness too, in my arm. I felt actually lucky the next day when I woke up.”

Jannik Hansen will take Ward’s spot in the lineup as a winger on the Sharks’ fourth line for Saturday’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Ward is in the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the Sharks prior to the 2015-16 season and five goals and six assists in 46 games this season. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

Including Saturday, the Sharks have 28 regular season games remaining over the last two months of the season.

Share this: Print

View more on The Mercury News