Alexander Karmanov’s one-sided fight part of Sharks’ blowout win over L.A. Kings

SAN JOSE – Los Angeles Kings forward prospect Liam Lefebvre might have been the bravest man at Tech CU Arena on Saturday night when he made the decision to drop the gloves and fight towering defenseman Alexander Karmanov.

The 7-foot-1, 275-pound San Jose Sharks prospect had run over Kings defenseman Jakub Dvorak a few seconds earlier on a rush up the ice. Dvorak was injured on the play, and although it appeared there was no malice on Karmanov’s part, Lefebvre decided to step up for his teammate.

But Karmanov then proceeded to feed Lefebvre, himself not a small man at 6-foot-3 and 203 pounds, one right hand after another before the two went down near center ice. As Karmanov skated toward the exit, he waved his arms and egged on an already amped up crowd.

In a game not lacking emotion, the Sharks beat the Kings 8-1 in each team’s first game at the Rookie Faceoff. Ivar Stenberg, Andre Gasseau and Carson Wetsch each scored two goals in the win, and goalie Brady Knowling, who, like Stenberg, was drafted by San Jose in June, made 26 saves.

But Saturday’s game might be better remembered for its overall bellicosity, with five fights and 82 penalty minutes between the two teams, including three in the final six-plus minutes of the third period, punctuated by Karmanov’s scrap.

“It was my first time seeing fights, so that was cool,” said Stenberg, who played on a line with Michael Misa and Igor Chernyshov, who also picked up a fighting major. “It’s special, because in Sweden, you can’t fight. It was special to see it … from the bench.”

“I thought guys got involved when they needed to get involved, and everybody stuck in there together,” Barracuda coach John McCarthy said. “It was good to see.”

The only downside from Saturday’s game was the upper body injury sustained by Cam Lund, who appeared to be hurt in the first period and did not play the final two periods.

Karmanov fired up the crowd as he left the ice https://t.co/2LElMjXuGn

— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 13, 2026

It might be terrible luck for Lund, an AHL All-Star selection in 2026 who was playing his best hockey last February, when he suffered a season-ending injury after a fluke play in which he toe-picked on the ice and fell hard into the boards during a game.

McCarthy said Lund would be reevaluated, and the team is expected to know more about the injury on Sunday.

Takeaways from Saturday’s game:

KARMANOV’S NIGHT: It’s been an unforgettable summer – and quite a two-month journey – for Karmanov, who gained widespread attention in June when he was selected 201st overall by the Sharks, making him the tallest player ever taken in the NHL draft.

Then, recently, Karmanov trained at Gary Roberts’ sports performance gym in Toronto, sharing the facility with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog and Nashville Predators winger Steven Stamkos.

“Hard work pays off,” Karmanov told Bay Area News Group on Friday. “Just have to keep working. When I see McDavid, he’s a legend, but it motivates you to keep working harder and harder, because you see those people and how they work.”

Karmanov is like a giant clay ball, ready to be molded. On Saturday, he started slow as he was stripped of the puck a couple of times. But he appeared to grow more confident as the game went on, using his stick and incredible reach – not to mention his massive frame – to disrupt the Kings forwards.

“His reach is obviously really evident,” McCarthy said. “His stick is huge, so he takes up a lot of space. I thought he broke up some plays nicely in the D-zone, particularly. You can see some upside.”

Karmanov, who plays for the OHL’s North Bay Battalion, could be sticking around San Jose a little bit longer after this weekend. Last week, he was suspended by the league for three regular-season games for cross-checking Sudbury Wolves player Brayden Bennett in the head, so there’s no need for him to return right away.

Karmanov has a lot to learn, but he’s a guy that you have to watch, if only because there’s never been another player like him.

SOON-TO-BE BARRACUDA ADDITIONS: Wetsch at some point soon would like to be known for more than simply being Macklin Celebrini’s childhood friend, at least around these parts.

He’s well on his way, if he’s not there already.

Wetsch was all over the ice Saturday, scoring a power-play goal and assisting on goals by Gasseau both at even strength and on the penalty kill. He was a player who impressed the Sharks’ coaching staff during last year’s training camp and, after a strong final season in the WHL, wants to do the same this year as he begins his pro career, likely in the AHL.

“I would say the PK is definitely part of my game, and it’s definitely going to help me get on a roster spot here with the Barracuda or the Sharks. We’ll see what happens,” Wetsch said.

Gasseau, acquired from the Boston Bruins in June, doesn’t figure to score a ton of goals with the Barracuda this season. But he, like Wetsch, knows what kind of game he has to play as a professional after four seasons at Boston College.

“Just be a reliable forward,” Gasseau said. “Obviously, scoring is not quite my forte, but just being reliable, being a hound on pucks, and being a great teammate.”

STENBERG’S NIGHT: Stenberg scored twice in 25 seconds in the third period, with his second goal at the 11:38 mark being one to remember as he finished off a passing sequence with linemates Misa and Chernyshov, giving the Sharks a 7-1 lead.

Misa and Chernyshov are entering their second full professional season, and Stenberg played full-time in the Swedish Hockey League last season.

“They’re awesome to watch,” Wetsch said. “They move the puck out there so well, and getting to see those pro guys work, it’s definitely awesome to see.”

It would make sense if that was Stenberg’s one Rookie Faceoff game. With just days to go before training camp, the Sharks likely do not want to risk seeing him get injured.

“It’s nice to get going,” he said, “ready for training camp.”