Macklin Celebrini had an impressive first game in the NHL, but now he has to wait a week for his next game because of an injury. The Sharks put him on injured reserve and called up Jack Thompson from AHL San Jose to fill his spot.
Celebrini was the top draft pick in June and decided to go pro instead of staying in college. He didn’t play much in preseason, only appearing twice out of six games, yet still managed a strong debut with two points. His limited playtime was partly due to a nagging lower-body injury during training camp, which seems to have flared up again . With the season just starting, it’s wise for him to rest and fully recover rather than risk playing while hurt.
Fans might wonder if this break will affect his momentum when he returns.
Team Adjustments:
Jack Thompson is stepping up as Celebrini rests. At 22 years old, he’s finishing his entry-level contract and is new to the Sharks after coming over from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline. Last season, he played three NHL games across two teams and scored 41 points in 62 AHL games. Although it seems odd that a defenseman replaces a forward, San Jose needed more defense options since Shakir Mukhamadullin and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are also injured. Thompson provides extra support at the back while they still have plenty of forwards available.
What do you think about these changes?
