San Jose Sharks veteran Joel Ward is dealing with a right shoulder injury that could derail the remainder of his season, according to NHL.com's Eric Gilmore.

The 11-year veteran was injured during the Sharks' loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday when he a took a hit into the boards from Vegas blue-liner Nate Schmidt, injuring the same shoulder he had rotator cuff surgery on in the offseason.

Despite the previous surgery and severity of the injury, Ward hopes to return this season: "Yeah, for sure," he said Saturday, via Gilmore. "I think even this morning getting a little more movement so I'm kind of optimistic for sure. Just waiting to hopefully get better as quick as possible.

"... Pretty lucky actually, because I thought the way it felt after, I thought I kind of had some numbness too in my arm. I felt actually pretty lucky the next day when I woke up."

Ward has only 11 points (five goals and six assists) through 46 games this season, but if he is out long term, his loss would be most felt if San Jose were to qualify for the postseason, as Ward is a proven playoff performer with 52 points in 83 career contests.

The Sharks currently cling to third place in the Pacific Division.

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