CSN Bay Area

SAN JOSE – Matt Irwin will miss the Sharks game against Vancouver on Saturday, and perhaps longer, after hurting himself in practice on Friday. Taylor Fedun has been recalled from AHL Worcester.

Head coach Todd McLellan indicated that the team will know more about Irwin’s status later this weekend.

“Right now we’re hoping [Irwin is] day-to-day,” McLellan said. “Until we get to tomorrow, we don’t know if that’s the time.”

The injury comes at an unfortunate time for the Sharks and for Irwin, who has been playing perhaps the best hockey of his brief career in recent weeks. The 27-year-old has at least a point in six of his last eight games, including a four-game streak, and has been an even or plus player in 12 of his last 13.

[RELATED: Irwin hurt during Sharks practice on Friday]

Irwin, a pending unrestricted free agent who was being shopped by the Sharks in the weeks leading up to Monday’s NHL trade deadline, has 15 points (7g, 8a) in 40 games. He was a frequent healthy scratch in the first half.

“He’s been really good since he got back into the lineup,” McLellan said. “He worked so hard when he was out of the lineup to improve his footspeed and get quicker. Offensively, he’s contributing in a lot of areas.

“His confidence is at an all-time high. It’s unfortunate for him as an individual to not be able to continue on, but hopefully he’s very short tern and has the opportunity to get back in before he loses anything that he’s gained.”

Fedun was set to board a flight on Saturday, but will not play against the Canucks. Scott Hannan, who has been a scratch for the last two games, will be reinserted into the lineup.  

In 56 games with Worcester, the 26-year-old right-handed shot has five goals and 24 assists for 29 points and a +1 rating. Fedun was among the final cuts in training camp, but is being recalled for the first time this season.

The Edmonton native, who signed as a free agent in the offseason, played in four NHL games with the Oilers last season, posting two goals.

The defense pairs for the Canucks are unclear, but Irwin was paired with Brent Burns for the past two games, both San Jose wins.

Despite carrying only 12 healthy forwards, the Sharks have not yet recalled anyone else from Worcester.