Sasha Chmelevski deserves to get a second chance with the San Jose Sharks.

Sasha Chmelevski deserves to get a second chance with the San Jose Sharks.

The 24-year-old winger never got a full opportunity in the NHL during his time with Team Teal. He's only played 24 career games and has ten assists. 

With reports surfacing yesterday that the Sharks have permitted him to speak with other teams to help facilitate a trade, it makes you wonder why the Sharks wouldn't want to give him a second look. 

His most recent NHL game was on April 28, 2022. The Sharks played the Edmonton Oilers, and Chmelevski finished with one assist in 12:16 TOI. 

San Jose was trotting out a roster that didn't have much. This included the likes of Noah Gregor, Rudolfs Balcers, and Jonah Gadjovich.

San Jose still had elite talent like Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns. They also didn't have many of the young prospects they do today to call up for such a late-season game. Thomas Bordeleau was getting his first looks in the NHL. 

With how the roster is assembled today, why not try to bring back Chmelevski? He's putting up points in the KHL. Chmelevski has 43 points (21 goals, 22 assists) in 50 games for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the KHL.

San Jose has struggled for offense all season, and adding Chmelevski's skill and offensive IQ could help San Jose get another quality body for the front lines. 

Logan Couture, who also played for the Ottawa 67s, spoke highly of Chmelevski during the 2022 season.

The Sharks will be in full sell mode with the NHL trade deadline approaching. They currently sit last in the league and have just ten wins. As the team moves players, GM Mike Grier will be more inclined to bring up prospects from the AHL. 

Players like Shakir Mukhamadullin, Tristen Robins, and Bordeleau should all get looks at the NHL post-trade deadline. But why not Chmelevski? He's spent the last two seasons in Russia and looks to have put his development back on track.

Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin left the Dallas Stars organization and returned to the KHL for the 2016-17 season. When he returned the following season, he failed to score a goal in 57 games. Nichushkin went to the Avs and saved his career. He is currently on pace for a career-high in goals, assists, and points. 

While Nichushkin and Chmelevski aren't the same players, returning to Russia paid dividends for Nichuskin. 

Chmelevski left the Sharks organization due to the lack of opportunity. If he were to come back now, he likely would get the chance he desired during his first stint with the San Jose Sharks. Chmelevski has not played for head coach David Quinn, and Quinn isn't afraid to move players up and down his lineup either.  

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