Sharks Head Coach Explains Line Changes With Macklin Celebrini’s Return Looming

With Macklin Celebrini set to return to the San Jose Sharks lineup, head coach Ryan Warsofsky ran out some new line combinations in practice.

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When Celebrini made his NHL debut on Oct. 10 against the St. Louis Blues, he centered William Eklund and Tyler Toffoli. During practice the day before his expected return on Nov. 5, Celebirni was still with Toffoli, but Mikael Granlund replaced Eklund.

Granlund, who leads the Sharks in scoring with 14 points (6 goals, 8 assists) in 13 games, had been playing center in Celebrini’s spot.

“He and I talked through the off-season about potentially playing the wing. I think he can play all situations, as you guys have seen,” Warsofsky said. “Penalty kill, powerplay, [he’s a] smart hockey player.”

With Eklund now bumped to the second line, Warsofsky joked that the trio of Eklund, Alexander Wennberg, and Fabian Zetterlund would have good chemistry as they are all Swedish.

“Just want a Swedish line,” Warsofsky smiled. “These lines today were not cemented in, so we’ll see how we go the next couple days.”

Throughout the early part of the season, there has been a clear emphasis on keeping Celebrini and Will Smith in their natural center positions. The Sharks must develop the two first-round picks into top-flight NHL centers.

Smith skated with Barclay Goodrow and Luke Kunin on the third line. He’s been with those two wingers during the Sharks’ most recent stretch of games.

“[Celebrini has] obviously proven he can do it in the NCAA, and coming up in his young career here, he can play the 200-foot game. There’s always some things that he’s going to have to continue to improve on,” Warsofsky said. “I think Will’s taken steps. It’s a hard position to play. It’s like playing defense. Center at this level and the Western Conference, especially with the big centers, can be difficult. There can be some nights that are more challenging than others, but I think both of them have taken steps since training camp.”

The Sharks will look to get back in the win column against the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night after losing 3-2 to the Vancouver Canucks last Saturday.

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