SAN JOSE — Macklin Celebrini got here as marketed in his first NHL preseason sport for the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.
Celebrini had a aim and an help, each on the facility play, at all times appeared to be across the puck, and regarded harmful on nearly each shift within the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights earlier than an introduced crowd of 9,049 at SAP Middle.
Celebrini’s aim got here on the 6:33 mark of the third interval as he one-timed a move from Luca Cagnoni previous Golden Knights goalie Isaiah Saville from close to the faceoff dot.
Simply 1:24 later, Celebrini, in an identical spot on the ice whereas San Jose had the person benefit, despatched a no-look move to the entrance of the Vegas web that winger Tyler Toffoli tapped in previous Saville.
Celebrini had two photographs on aim and completed with over 18 minutes in ice time in opposition to the Golden Knights. And whereas it was only a preseason sport, the 18-year-old Celebrini confirmed off bursts of velocity and the nonstop motor that made him the No. 1 total decide in June’s NHL Draft.
In doing so, he gave the Sharks and their followers some motive to imagine within the staff’s outlook after 5 non-playoff seasons.
Sunday’s sport was the primary of six the Sharks will play within the preseason earlier than they open the common season at house in opposition to the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 10.
“It’s just another opportunity to get ready for the season,” Celebrini stated Sunday morning. “We have these preseason games for a reason, so I’m just going to try to go feel it out, get kind of the pace of play and hopefully get comfortable out there.”
Celebrini centered a line in opposition to the Golden Knights with wingers Toffoli and Klim Kostin. The three had been additionally collectively through the first three days of camp, and Celebrini and Toffoli may additionally begin the common season on the Sharks’ high line.
“The more you play with someone, you figure out their tendencies and it gets easier to play with them and read off them,” Celebrini stated of growing chemistry with Toffoli. “I don’t know if we’re like the Sedin brothers (Daniel and Henrik) yet, but hopefully we can get there.”
Toffoli had 33 objectives between his time with the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets final season. That complete would have simply led the offensively starved Sharks in 2023-24, as Fabian Zetterlund led San Jose with 24 objectives, adopted by William Eklund and Anthony Duclair with 16 every. Duclair, a pending unrestricted free agent final season, was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in March.
The Sharks’ 2.20 objectives per sport common final season was second lowest within the NHL. Toffoli, who has 280 profession objectives, and Celebrini may be counted on to do a number of heavy lifting offensively.
Nonetheless, the Sharks really feel with their roster adjustments, they need to have a extra balanced lineup.
Celebrini taking part in on the primary unit Sunday with Toffoli, Luca Cagnoni, Mikael Granlund, and William Eklund. The Sharks had Henry Thrun, Kostin, Collin Graf, Quentin Musty, and Jack Thompson on the second unit.
Toffoli, Granlund, Eklund, and Celebrini all determine to be a part of the Sharks’ energy play this season, both on the primary or second items. Final season, San Jose ranked twenty first on the person benefit within the NHL at 20.2%.
The Sharks introduced again assistant coach Brian Wiseman to as soon as once more coordinate the facility play.
“It’s like any system,” stated Celebrini, who scored a power-play aim for the Sharks in his one sport on the seven-team Rookie Faceoff occasion in El Segundo earlier this month. “It’s tough when you don’t get many touches on it or practice it much. But the more reps we get, the more comfortable we’ll be with each other.”
LEADERSHIP ANNOUNCED: The Sharks may have 5 alternate captains this season as they formally introduced their management group.
Normal supervisor Mike Grier confirmed initially of coaching camp that heart Logan Couture would stay the Sharks’ captain for a sixth-straight season. Defenseman Mario Ferraro will likely be a full-time alternate captain.
Toffoli and Barclay Goodrow will function alternate captains for house video games, and Granlund and Luke Kunin function alternate captains for all highway video games.
Initially Printed: September 22, 2024 at 7:31 p.m.
