Macklin Celebrini’s Health Progress Ahead of Sharks’ Preseason Games

SAN JOSE, California – Macklin Celebrini, center for the San Jose Sharks, is on track to return to full participation in training after missing some practices due to illness. He reassured fans on Sunday that he would be ready for the upcoming month.

“I’ll be ready,” Celebrini stated about his recovery plan. “We’ve taken all the information, made a plan, and we’re just sticking to it. It’s going right on schedule.” His first game back may not be as soon as Monday during the exhibition against the Anaheim Ducks, but coach Ryan Warsofsky indicated he would practice with full contact this week.

Celebrini participated in strength conditioning at the Sharks’ practice facility while others engaged in team drills. He has missed two exhibition games so far, focusing instead on individualized training to ensure he is fully recovered before any contact practices.

“He knows the process. He’s a competitor,” Warsofsky said. “Of course, he wants to be out there and doing everything, leading the charge. But we’ve got to be smart, and that’s where we’re at.”

Another player returning to practice was defenseman John Klingberg, who had been sidelined with an upper-body injury from the preseason opener on September 21. He joined practice on Sunday for the first time in a week.

The Sharks also made roster cuts this week, assigning forward Carson Wetsch to the Kelowna Rockets and defenseman Haoxi Wang to the Oshawa Generals. Wetsch, a recent draft pick, played in his first NHL preseason game recently and showed promise with physical plays on the ice.

“He looks more comfortable every day,” Warsofsky said about Wang, adding that the young defenseman has a bright future with the team.

The Sharks have four more preseason games scheduled, and fans are eager to see how their lineup shapes up ahead of the regular-season opener on October 9 against an as-yet-unnamed opponent.