Concerning report emerges on first overall pick Macklin Celebrini

Fans were immediately on Tuesday evening when San Jose Sharks rookie phenom Macklin Celebrini left the preseason game against the Utah Hockey Club and did not return. The team later announced that the 2024 NHL Draft first overall pick had suffered a lower-body injury.

The injury took place at the 13-minute mark in the second period as Celebrini went in for a breakaway chance. He however ended up tripping on forward Kevin Stenlund's stick as he was driving by the net, and crashed hard into into the boards. He was visibly in pain after the collision but managed to get up and get back in the play. After playing another shift though, he ended down the team’s tunnel towards the dressing room and missed the remainder of the contest.

On Wednesday, things got worse as team insiders in San Jose reported that Celebrini was missing from practice, per Sheng Peng of NBC Sports Sharks.

Fans were anxiously awaiting an update on the young superstar, who has picked up a goal and an assist in his debut against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sept. 22, when insider Elliotte Friedman reported that he was listed as day-to-day due to a lower-body injury. 

Prior to getting injured in his second preseason game of the calendar, Celebrini had played 10 minutes, 54 seconds and had two shots on goal.