Sharks' Promising Newcomer Macklin Celebrini (Injured Lower Body) Absent from Practice

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, the top selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, is currently being evaluated for a lower-body injury and was absent from the team's practice on Friday.

According to Coach Ryan Warsofsky, it is uncertain if Celebrini will be able to play in the Sharks' upcoming home game against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday due to his ongoing evaluation. The young player had been dealing with a lower-body injury during training camp and the preseason, but Warsofsky did not provide any further details.

In his NHL debut, 18-year-old Celebrini made history by scoring a goal and an assist in the Sharks' 5-4 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.

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The goal occurred just 7:01 into the game when Celebrini attempted to pass the puck from the right circle to teammate William Eklund in the slot. However, it deflected off Blues defenseman Matt Kessel's leg and went past goaltender Joel Hofer.

This goal was the second-fastest for a No. 1 pick in their debut, with only Mario Lemieux's score at 2:59 in his first game for the Pittsburgh Penguins being faster.

Celebrini also became the sixth-youngest player, at 18 years and 119 days, to score in their NHL debut.

Later in the first period, he added his first assist to Tyler Toffoli at the 17:14 mark.

During the previous season, Celebrini was a freshman at Boston University and recorded an impressive 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in just 38 games. At the young age of 17, he became the youngest player to ever win the Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top men's player in the NCAA.