Sharks provide update on rookie Macklin Celebrini's health after scary moment

Curtis Pashelka, Bay Area News Group on Oct 2, 2024

Published in Hockey

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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Macklin Celebrini’s injury isn’t considered severe, and San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said Wednesday there remains a chance the top-line center could play in the team’s season-opener next week.

Celebrini is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury after he left Tuesday’s preseason game against the Utah Hockey Club at SAP Center midway through the second period.

Celebrini got a shot away on a partial breakaway at the 13:45 mark that goalie Connor Ingram stopped. Celebrini’s left skate then appeared to be tapped by Utah defenseman Kevin Stenlund, causing the 18-year-old forward to lose balance and slide hard into the end boards.

Celebrini returned to the Sharks bench on his own and took one more shift on a San Jose power play before he went to the team’s dressing room for further evaluation.

Celebrini had a busy September with national media obligations in Northern Virginia and Las Vegas before competing with other Sharks prospects in the Rookie Faceoff in Los Angeles.

Although Celebrini did not practice Wednesday, Warsofsky felt the teenager’s injury would not keep him out long-term.

“He’s been through a lot,” Warsofsky said of Celebrini. “He’s at the rookie tournament, the travel, he’s been bouncing around media stuff this summer. I’d say it’s a little bit more wear and tear and more precautionary than anything. Just kind of day by day.”

The Sharks have two preseason games left: Friday at home against Anaheim and Saturday in Las Vegas. They open the regular season on Oct. 10 at SAP Center against the St. Louis Blues.

Asked if Celebrini’s injury would keep him out for the remainder of the preseason, Warsofsky said, “I wouldn’t say that. We’re going to see how he feels every day and make a decision every day.”

The Sharks have two preseason games left: Friday at home against Anaheim and Saturday in Las Vegas. They open the regular season on Oct. 10 at SAP Center against the St. Louis Blues.

Without Celebrini, the Sharks adjusted their forward lines for Wednesday’s practice.

Alexander Wennberg took Celebrini’s spot as the Sharks’ top-line center with Tyler Toffoli and William Eklund on the wings. Will Smith centered the second line with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund.

In the bottom six, Ty Dellandrea centered the third line with Barclay Goodrow and Luke Kunin, although Dellandrea and Goodrow can alternate playing in the middle. The fourth line featured center Nico Sturm with wingers Klim Kostin and Carl Grundstrom.