A captain at 20
San Jose opens its season Thursday against Florida with a new look at the top of the roster. Macklin Celebrini, 20, wears the “C” for the first time in a regular-season game, making him the youngest captain in franchise history. He arrives off a breakout year of 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists), a franchise record that beat Joe Thornton’s 114 from 2006-07.
The Sharks have not made the playoffs since 2018-19, and the plan is still built around youth. They did add a veteran for Celebrini’s line. Mason Marchment, 31, signed a five-year, $33.75 million deal on July 1 after 45 points in 68 games split between Seattle and Columbus. “He helps our line with his speed, his size and the way he’s able to protect pucks,” Celebrini said.
Defenseman Luca Cagnoni, 21, earned a roster spot after a strong camp. Coach Ryan Warsofsky likes what he sees. “He’s got good poise with the puck and the game has slowed down for him,” Warsofsky said.
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Florida already has a win
The Panthers come in with momentum from Tuesday, when they won 1-0 at Carolina on Gustav Forsling’s goal with 4.3 seconds left in overtime. Forsling scored just two goals in 80 games last season, but coach Paul Maurice is not holding him back. “We’re not putting the handcuffs on him,” Maurice said.
Barkov is back
Florida won back-to-back Stanley Cups, then missed the playoffs last year with a roster full of injuries. Captain Aleksander Barkov played more than 20 minutes in his return from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, an injury that cost him all of last season. He won his third Selke Trophy in 2024-25 with 20 goals and 51 assists.
He now centers a line with Brady Tkachuk, acquired in a June trade, and Sam Reinhart. Maurice joked that he can make more mistakes with Barkov on the ice. Brad Marchand is out for roughly the first month after offseason surgery.
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