Way Too Early Sharks Opening Night Line Combinations

With the San Jose Sharks signing Macklin Celebrini, one can only imagine the 2024-25 opening night lineup.

San Jose opens the season against the St. Louis Blues on October 10th. Fans, media, and the general public will get the first official look at the 2024 first-overall pick.

Considering the Sharks have signed Celebrini and Will Smith, here are a few line combinations. These lineups will assume Logan Couture is healthy, except lineup three, and will start the season on time.

These lineups will be only the forward group.

Authors note: Making these combinations was complicated. Ryan Warsofksy will have to make tough decisions and likely have a veteran be scratched often. The question is, who?

Lineup One: Getting A Base

Eklund-Granlund-Zetterlund
Couture-Celebirni-Toffoli
Wennberg-Smith-Kunin
Graf-Sturm-Goodrow

The Sharks might want to surround Celebrini with veterans to help him learn the NHL. Logan Couture's health remains in question, but if healthy, sliding him to the wing may help lower the chances of re-aggravation.

On paper, Smith has more offensive potential than Celebrini. Giving him better matchups on the third line with Wennberg and Kunin on his wings will allow him to play free-flowing offense with responsible wingers.

Related: Logan Couture Gives Season-Ending Injury Update; Hopes To Be Ready For Sharks Training Camp

Lineup Two: Smith, Celebrini=One-Two Punch

Eklund-Celebrini-Granlund
Couture-Smith-Toffoli
Kunin-Wennberg-Zetterlund
Dellandrea-Sturm-Grundstrom

Mikael Granlund showed he could help a young player get to another level last season. Fabian Zetterlund and Granlund had terrific chemistry, and William Eklund joined late in the season.

Granlund also has experience playing the wing in his NHL career but has shown he is a top-six centerman. Keeping him with Celebrini might work.

Offensive wingers with Smith might unlock his offensive potential sooner than expected. He also would get the same mentorship from Couture as Celebrini did in Lineup One.

Lineup Three: Let The Kids Play

Eklund-Celebrini-Toffoli
Musty-Smith-Zetterlund
Bordeleau-Granlund-Graf
Dellandrea-Wennberg-Grundstrom

This is the only lineup in which Quentin Musty makes the opening night roster. Musty told reporters at development camp that his goal is to make the team out of training camp.

If he completes his goal, Musty will likely have nine games to prove he belongs in the NHL. Otherwise, he will head back to the Sudbury Wolves in the OHL. Due to his age, he is not eligible for the AHL.

Musty and Smith showed great chemistry during the prospect scrimmage, and it would be unwise for the Sharks not to try that in the NHL.

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