San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini missed his second practice ahead of Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues, leaving his availability uncertain as head coach Ryan Warsofsky declined to rule him out, according to the article.
Sharks Power Play Shifts
With Celebrini sidelined from Wednesday’s practice sessions, the coaching staff deployed a refreshed top power-play unit featuring Luca Cagnoni at the point, Ivar Stenberg on the left flank, Igor Chernyshov in the bumper, Will Smith on the right side, and Alex Wennberg at net front. The unit featured left-handed Stenberg and right-handed Smith flip-flopping flanks to maximize one-time scoring chances. Stenberg, the 2026 second overall pick, earned a promotion to the top group after beginning the season on the second unit. Warsofsky cited the 19-year-old’s poise, patience on the half-wall, and ability to play both sides as reasons for the promotion. The second power-play unit cycled Dmitry Orlov and Jacob Trouba up top, with Kiefer Sherwood on the left flank, Tyler Toffoli in the bumper, Mason Marchment on the right flank, and Michael Misa at net front.
Will Smith Returns to Center
Will Smith practiced at the center position for a second straight day, signaling a potential shift back to his natural role during 5-on-5 play for Thursday’s game. Smith spent most of his rookie 2024-25 campaign playing on the wing after the franchise drafted him fourth overall in 2023. Warsofsky pointed to an improvement in Smith’s pace and comfort level as key factors in the transition. He’s just a guy that needs to play with some pace, and I think I’ve seen that here the last couple days, of a guy who looks pretty comfortable,
Warsofsky said. The head coach also noted that the game has slowed down tremendously for the young forward over the past year, though he cautioned that an adjustment period should be expected as Smith returns to the middle.
Dickinson Practices Ahead of Allan as Lines Remain Tentative
Dickinson, the eleventh overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season and practiced ahead of Allan on Monday and Tuesday. The 5-on-5 forward combinations kept Marchment centering Smith and Chernyshov, followed by Stenberg with Wennberg and Sherwood, while a third line featured Luca Cagnoni alongside other combinations, though Warsofsky emphasized that the lines remain tentative and subject to change before game time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the San Jose Sharks Lines
Who replaced Macklin Celebrini on the top power-play unit?
Ivar Stenberg took over a role on the top power-play unit alongside Luca Cagnoni, Igor Chernyshov, Will Smith, and Alex Wennberg while Celebrini missed practice due to an ongoing injury.
What position is Will Smith playing during practice?
Will Smith practiced at center for two consecutive days, returning to the middle after spending significant time on the wing during his rookie season.
Why was Sam Dickinson skating behind Nolan Allan?
Nolan Allan took rushes ahead of Sam Dickinson at Wednesday’s practice after Dickinson previously skated ahead of him earlier in the week, though head coach Ryan Warsofsky stated that the lineup decisions are not yet finalized.
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