The San Jose Sharks got just a taste of their best rookie Macklin Celebrini during the season opener. He recorded first goal and assist of his NHL career against St. Louis Blues, immediately showing that the 18-year-old phenom is a different kind of rookie.

The sharks were waiting for the last 12 games to see Celebrini back in action. The center has suffered a lower-body injury that has kept him out of action for the past few weeks. Without him, San Jose has struggled to generate offense in many of their games and they are already behind in the Pacific Division and Western Conference.

Good news for sharks ahead, as Celebrities looks like it’s set to come back in line. He recently started skating again and has worked his way up to practicing with the non-contact team.

The latest update from team reporters Sheng Peng and Max Miller stated that Celebrini skated on the front line with veteran wings Tyler Toffoli and Mikael Granlund during a recent Sharks practice session. The even better news was that the teen center got in touch and his body responded well. Contact is a huge step, especially since head coach David Warsofsky previously said it was a prerequisite for Celebrini’s return.

Celebrini seems to have ticked all the boxes to return and it’s clear he thinks so. According to the team reported Sheng Peng, Celebrini confirmed after practice that he will play in the team’s next game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With Celebrini back, the Sharks can make a sincere effort to climb off the bottom of the league standings. Celebrini gives the team a legitimate top-six center, the only one on their roster, and a chance to steal some games from a very tough competition.

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