The Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks meet in a preseason opener on October 2, with both teams debuting major offseason moves.
The Florida Panthers and San Jose Sharks open their preseason schedules against each other on October 2 at SAP Center, with both teams debuting major offseason storylines. The Panthers, coming off a 7th-place finish in the Atlantic Division, will feature new goaltender Jacob Markstrom, acquired from the New Jersey Devils in a five-player deal. The Sharks, 5th in the Pacific, will showcase Macklin Celebrini, who just signed a five-year, $94 million extension making him the NHL’s highest-paid player. With both teams looking to set a tone, this matchup offers an early glimpse at how each franchise’s offseason moves translate on the ice.
Florida Panthers: New Look in Net
The Panthers’ biggest change is between the pipes. Jacob Markstrom arrives from New Jersey after a five-player trade, expected to be the anchor as Florida aims to climb from 7th in the Atlantic. The Panthers open the regular season on September 29 against the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, a tough test that will immediately measure their progress. Markstrom’s performance in the preseason will be closely watched, especially with former Panther Sergei Bobrovsky now in Toronto on a three-year, $21 million deal. The Panthers will rely on Markstrom to stabilize a position that has been a question mark, and his early outings against San Jose will be an early indicator of his fit.
San Jose Sharks: Celebrini’s Historic Deal
The Sharks made headlines by locking up franchise center Macklin Celebrini to a five-year, $94 million extension, an $18.8 million AAV that makes him the highest-paid player in the NHL. At just 20 years old, Celebrini is also the youngest cover athlete in EA Sports’ NHL series history for NHL 27. The Sharks also re-signed forward Collin Graf to a three-year, $12.75 million deal after a breakout 21-goal, 25-assist season. With Celebrini and Graf leading the way, San Jose looks to improve on a 5th-place Pacific finish. The preseason opener against Florida gives fans a first look at the Celebrini-led core under the new contract, and the team will be eager to build chemistry before the regular season.
Head-to-Head: Markstrom vs. Celebrini
The most intriguing individual battle will be Jacob Markstrom facing Macklin Celebrini. Markstrom will be tested by one of the most dynamic young forwards in the game, while Celebrini will look to solve a veteran goaltender known for his size and athleticism. Both players are central to their teams’ success, and their performance in this preseason game could set a precedent for the season. The Panthers’ defense will need to contain Celebrini, while the Sharks’ offense will try to get pucks past Markstrom early.
Key Factors to Watch
- Goaltending: Markstrom’s debut in a Panthers uniform after the offseason trade.
- Celebrini’s chemistry with new linemates in the Sharks’ top six.
- Preseason line combinations and player evaluations for both teams.
- Special teams: Power play and penalty kill units as they take shape.
- Injury updates: Neither team has reported any injuries heading into the game.
Prediction
Both teams are expected to use this game to evaluate depth and systems, but the Sharks have the advantage of home ice and a more settled core with Celebrini and Graf signed long-term. The Panthers will be adjusting to a new goaltender and defensive structure, which could lead to early breakdowns. Expect a competitive game, but the Sharks’ familiarity and offensive firepower should give them the edge. Prediction: Sharks win 4-2 in a preseason opener that showcases the stars.
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