Preview/Lines #17: Smith faces Michkov, but Celebrini may not

PHILADELPHIA – Will Smith or Matvei Michkov?

The San Jose Sharks had selected No. 4 in the 2023 draft, and for many fans the popular choice fell on Smith or Michkov.

The Sharks selected Smith, Michkov fell to the Philadelphia Flyers at No. 7.

Smith meets Michkov for the first time.

Smith will play Monday night after sitting out yesterday due to a development day against the New Jersey Devils. Michkov will also play after consecutive healthy scratches.

“I met him once at the rookie orientation,” Smith said. “He is really talented and has great playing ability. He’s really good.”

Michkov got off to a strong offensive start with four goals and six assists in 13 games. However, head coach John Tortorella recently scratched him and also cited “development.”

Smith got off to a slow start this season, going pointless in his first eight NHL appearances, but he recently came into the game with two goals and an assist in his last four appearances, all highlights.

However, Smith wasn’t too excited about his match against Michkov or previous games this season against the three teams that passed him, the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets.

“We are in the same draft, but I don’t focus too much on other teams. This is a thing of the past,” Smith said. “I’m more worried about the Sharks now.”

Of course, no matter what Smith says, Smith or Michkov will be on the minds of Sharks fans for a long time.

It’s a good time for this reminder: It will also take a long time to know who the right choice was.

Will Smith says that during his development period he likes to select a player that he can observe from above on the opposing team. Yesterday it was Hughes of course (Jack, not Luke)

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 11, 2024

San Jose Sharks (5-9-2)

Vitek Vanecek starts. Jake Walman is still out with a routine upper-body injury.

Head coach Ryan Warsofsky wouldn’t commit to Macklin Celebrini playing in two games.

Is Celebrini subject to the developmental days like Smith, or is he broken?

“They have different plans, I’ll leave it at that,” Warsofsky replied.

We’ll see when we warm up!

I saw Warsofsky’s father Mark at yesterday’s game.

Proud moment, it turned out to be the first time dad saw his son win an NHL game

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) November 11, 2024

Philadelphia Flyers (5-8-2)

Lineup update for #SJSvsPHI:

• Forwards Matvei Michkov and Ryan Poehling return to the lineup tonight.
• Erik Johnson returns to action on the blueline.
• Samuel Ersson starts in net.
• Jamie Drysdale and Morgan Frost come out of the lineup. pic.twitter.com/YJQOb4b1Ky

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 11, 2024

Check out Jon Bailey at Philly Hockey Now for the Philadelphia Flyers’ projected lineups!

Where to see

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers will take place at 4:00 p.m. PT at the Wells Fargo Center. Watch it live on NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.