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The San Jose Sharks were flying high going into Monday's clash with the Dallas Stars. Their captain, Macklin Celebrini, had racked up five assists in the first two games of the 2026-27 season, and the team had won back-to-back contests in overtime. But the excitement quickly turned to concern just before the puck dropped.
Celebrini went through his usual pregame warmup on the top line, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. However, shortly before the opening faceoff, the Sharks announced that he would miss the game due to a lower-body injury. The timing caught everyone off guard, as there was no visible incident during warmups, and the team provided almost no details about the nature of the injury.
After the game, head coach Ryan Warsofsky offered little insight, stating that Celebrini was "still being evaluated" and declined to comment on how serious the injury might be. The Sharks have scheduled a practice for noon CT on Tuesday, which could provide the next update on his status.
With their franchise centerpiece suddenly unavailable, San Jose had to make quick adjustments. Ty Dellandrea stepped in as the 12th forward, and Alexander Wennberg was promoted to take Celebrini's spot on the first line. The Stars capitalized on the absence of the young superstar, cruising to a 5-0 victory.
Celebrini has been the driving force for the Sharks since being selected first overall in the 2024 draft. In parts of three NHL seasons, the North Vancouver native has recorded 70 goals and 183 points in 154 games. His sophomore campaign was nothing short of spectacular, as he amassed 45 goals and 115 points in all 82 games, earning a spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, where he tallied five goals and 10 points in six games.
Named captain before the start of the season, Celebrini is in the final year of his entry-level contract, with a five-year extension worth $18.8 million per season set to begin next summer. The Sharks and their fans are left waiting for answers about what exactly sidelined their captain between warmups and the opening whistle, and how long he might be out.
Key Analysis
The sudden loss of Celebrini is a major blow for San Jose, both on and off the ice. His absence not only disrupted the team's lineup but also highlighted their dependence on his production. The Sharks will be anxiously awaiting further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury and how long they will be without their leader.
Originally reported by yahoo.