Ryan Reaves will return to the San Jose Sharks lineup on Thursday after missing the final game before the Olympic break with an upper-body injury.

The veteran winger is ready to play a game after not playing since Feb. 2. Reaves told SHD that his favorite times of the year are opening night and the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Thursday feels close to opening night.

“Three weeks is a long time to be away. I enjoyed the break, but it’s a really exciting time of year,” Reaves said. “Teams are making a playoff push, and we’re no different, so it’s gonna be exciting.”

For the San Jose Sharks to make the playoffs, they will need to be driven by Macklin Celebrini. Throughout the year, Reaves has constantly shouted out the 19-year-old as one of the best players in the game.

“I don’t think he gets enough respect, that’s for sure. I watched him play last year; he’s up there with some of those [top] guys, if not better than some of those guys that people put ahead of him,” Reaves said last September. “He works hard. He plays the right way. You can see it just in the 5-on-5 and 4-on-4 skates that we had before camp. I expect a big year, just like I’m sure he does.”

But now he’s gone from a top talent in the league to THE top talent in the league after his performance for Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

“No, I was wrong. He’s a top one player in the league now,” Reaves said. “For him to be doing that at 19 is outrageous, so top one.”

Reaves’ personality in the San Jose Sharks locker room has been a perfect addition. The 39-year-old has been placed to the left of Celebrini in the locker room. The veteran NHLer has helped Celebrini come out of his metaphorical shell and let his personality shine through.

Reaves told SHD that the way Celebrini has carried himself around the Sharks roster is nothing short of spectacular. He enjoyed watching him play at the Olympics, but says he’s always a fan of Celebrini, even when they are San Jose Sharks teammates.

“I’ve always been a fan, even when he’s here. I love watching him on the ice. It’s just cool to see somebody that young, he’s such a good kid, very mature on the ice for his age, and the way he carries himself at his age is very impressive,” Reaves said. “I’m a fan all the time, but glad I’m his teammate for sure.”

Reaves and the Sharks begin a six-game homestand against the Calgary Flames.