The San Jose Sharks hope their young core is ready to take the next step, while the visiting Florida Panthers look to regain the form that led to a pair of Stanley Cups when the teams meet Thursday.
After back-to-back championships, an injury-plagued Panthers club missed the playoffs last season. San Jose, meanwhile, opens its season with youth again at the forefront as it vies to qualify for the postseason for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign.
Newly named Sharks captain Macklin Celebrini will make his regular-season debut with the “C” on his jersey. Celebrini, 20, the youngest captain in franchise history, is coming off a breakout season in which he posted a franchise-record 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists). Joe Thornton had held the previous record of 114 in 2006-07.
While youth remains at the center of their rebuild, the Sharks also added a veteran presence to play alongside Celebrini.
Mason Marchment signed a five-year, $33.75 million contract July 1 as an unrestricted free agent. The 31-year-old had 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 68 games last season with the Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets.
“He is amazing,” Celebrini said of Marchment. “He helps our line with his speed, his size and the way he’s able to protect pucks.”
After a strong training camp, left-handed defenseman Luca Cagnoni earned a spot on the roster. Coach Ryan Warsofsky said Cagnoni, 21, showed he is ready for the NHL.
“(Cagnoni) has got a motor to play at this level,” Warsofsky said. “… He’s got good poise with the puck and the game has slowed down for him, which lets him get to his strengths a little quicker.”
Florida, meanwhile, already has a win under its belt.
The Panthers opened their season Tuesday with a 1-0 road victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Gustav Forsling scored the game-winner with 4.3 seconds remaining in overtime.
After Forsling scored just two goals in 80 games last season, Florida coach Paul Maurice said there are no restrictions when the veteran defenseman considers taking a shot.
“We’re not putting the handcuffs on him. He can unleash that (shot) at any time,” Maurice said.
Florida remains without veteran forward Brad Marchand, who is expected to miss the first month of the season following offseason surgery.
But the Panthers welcomed back their captain Tuesday.
Center Aleksander Barkov played more than 20 minutes in his return after missing all of last season following surgery to repair the ACL and MCL in his right knee, which he injured on the first day of training camp last September.
In 2024-25, Barkov claimed his third Selke Trophy, scoring 20 goals with 51 assists. He won 56.5% of his faceoffs as the Panthers claimed their second straight Stanley Cup.
With Barkov, 31, centering the No. 1 line with winger Brady Tkachuk, who was acquired in a June trade, and Sam Reinhart, Maurice quipped about having more latitude when making decisions from the bench.
“I can make a lot more mistakes on the bench now when (Barkov) is in the lineup,” Maurice said. “He plays hard not just on one side of the puck. He can generate and defend. He is our leader and cultural leader.”
