No. 1 overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini, who hasn’t played since sustaining a lower-body injury in his NHL debut, plans to take the ice with the San Jose Sharks in Tuesday’s home game against Columbus.
The 18-year-old forward tallied a goal and an assist in the Oct. 10 season opener against the St. Louis Blues but missed practice the following day while being evaluated for an injury.
He was placed on injured reserve Oct. 12 and returned to team activities on Halloween.
Celebrini took contact during Monday’s practice and centered the Sharks’ top line.
San Jose has a 3-8-2 record in Celebrini’s absence but the Sharks rattled off those three wins in three consecutive games last week.
Celebrini claimed the 2023-24 Hobey Baker Award during his one-year stint at Boston University, where he helped the Terriers reach the NCAA Frozen Four and finished with 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) in 38 games.