F Macklin Celebrini (2024, 1st, SJS)

[Mattb124]

The three points almost undersells how ridiculous he was. It truly was like a veiled five point night with better linemates or without Binnington heroics.

He was just straight up better than everyone else across the entire 200' of ice. Most complete game of his young career.

People who don’t stay up late to watch Sharks games should watch that video. What I highlight reel package.

 

[karltonian]

The three points almost undersells how ridiculous he was. It truly was like a veiled five point night with better linemates or without Binnington heroics.

He was just straight up better than everyone else across the entire 200' of ice. Most complete game of his young career.

And this is just a partial sampling of the plays he made too. When the kid is going he's stringing together plays nonstop whenever he's on the ice.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

If he keeps his rapid progression it'll he hard to leave him off the 2026 team at the Olympics.

I can see him earning a spot over Bedard as well.

 

[fasterthanlight]

Watching him is a joy. What a hockey player. Haven't seen this level of play (vibes/game control wise) from a shark forward in at least a decade. Who knows what the future holds, but hopefully he has a good/long career.

 

[Bowie22]

This kid was built in a lab or something...

 

[TheBeard]

If he keeps his rapid progression it'll he hard to leave him off the 2026 team at the Olympics.

I can see him earning a spot over Bedard as well.

I think they'll both get on because guys like Crosby are gonna hit the wall.

 

[crazynaiman]

1+1 vs Jets. As always, a sensational game by Macklin. It feels like he’s been in the NHL for years; you’d never guess he’s a rookie. He knows exactly what to do on the ice, makes confident decisions, drives the team forward, has excellent vision, elite hands, and top-tier skating.

Interesting fact: Celebrini is currently on pace to lead all first-overall picks in total points since Patrick Kane in 2007. He's on track for 70 points, which would be the highest mark in all these years - Kane had 72, Matthews 69, and McDavid 48 (due to injury). Additionally, he's averaging 1 point per game, a feat achieved in the last 20 years only by Ovechkin, Crosby, and McDavid.

Quietly, we might be witnessing the rise of one of the most intriguing players, potentially on the level of these legends and stars. Of course, it’s still early - just 22 games is a very small sample size. But based on his play, Macklin is leaving an incredible impression, truly dominating and carrying his team. I haven’t seen a player like this since McDavid and Auston.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

I agree with y'all. Superstar player in the making. Might not peak as high as others but definition of franchise player to me

 

[matt trick]

The three points almost undersells how ridiculous he was. It truly was like a veiled five point night with better linemates or without Binnington heroics.

He was just straight up better than everyone else across the entire 200' of ice. Most complete game of his young career.

I love, love, love the play at 1:10. Moves his ass to get back to prevent 2v0, then proceeds to stick check each of the blues forwards preventing a shot on goal. He is so damn relentless! This isn't saying much but if the Sharks are giving up a 2v1 I hope it's Macklin and not a dman who's back.

He has at least 1-2 defensive plays a game where he prevents a high danger scoring chance. In some of the comparison threads there have been comments about "the underlying numbers say Celebrini is average, mediocre, or even bad defensively". If you have that opinion, there's no chance you're watching Sharks games. The Sharks get victimised with Celebrini on the ice (universally with one of Ferraro, Ceci, or Rutta also out there), but he's already above average defensively, while being a cheat code for transitioning from defense to offense.

This kid is freaking awesome!

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Shark fans sould just celebrinate, that they got such awesome young player!

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

1+1 vs Jets. As always, a sensational game by Macklin. It feels like he’s been in the NHL for years; you’d never guess he’s a rookie. He knows exactly what to do on the ice, makes confident decisions, drives the team forward, has excellent vision, elite hands, and top-tier skating.

Interesting fact: Celebrini is currently leading all first-overall picks in points-per-game pace since Patrick Kane in 2007. He's on track for 70 points, which would be the highest mark in all these years - Kane had 72, Matthews 69, and McDavid 48 (due to injury). Additionally, he's averaging 1 point per game, a feat achieved in the last 20 years only by Ovechkin, Crosby, and McDavid.

Quietly, we might be witnessing the rise of one of the most intriguing players, potentially on the level of these legends and stars. Of course, it’s still early - just 22 games is a very small sample size. But based on his play, Macklin is leaving an incredible impression, truly dominating and carrying his team. I haven’t seen a player like this since McDavid and Auston.

McDavid had 48p in 45gp in 2015 (in a lower scoring league, no less), so it's not the highest ppg since Kane.

He's going to be a great player but I don't think he has Crosby/Ovechkin/McDavid potential.

 

[coooldude]

McDavid had 48p in 45gp in 2015 (in a lower scoring league, no less), so it's not the highest ppg since Kane.

He's going to be a great player but I don't think he has Crosby/Ovechkin/McDavid potential.

Agreed. All three are all timers. Most of the very best draft picks won't have that potential in them. But he's looking like a true franchise player and that's good enough for me.

 

[crazynaiman]

McDavid had 48p in 45gp in 2015 (in a lower scoring league, no less), so it's not the highest ppg since Kane.

He's going to be a great player but I don't think he has Crosby/Ovechkin/McDavid potential.

Yeah, I mentioned McDavid below, about ppg.

I was referring to the total points for the season. I agree, it’s unlikely he’ll reach the level of McDavid or Crosby. But surpassing someone like MacKinnon seems entirely possible. Of course, we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to make any solid conclusions.

That said, he really stands out right now. You have to admit - it’s rare for a first-overall pick to produce at a point per game pace in their rookie season. Even Bedard couldn’t quite do it, though he came close and was hyped as the nextgen talent.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Yeah, I mentioned McDavid below, about ppg.

I was referring to the total points for the season. I agree, it’s unlikely he’ll reach the level of McDavid or Crosby. But surpassing someone like MacKinnon seems entirely possible. Of course, we’ll have to wait until the end of the season to make any solid conclusions.

That said, he really stands out right now. You have to admit - it’s rare for a first-overall pick to produce at a point per game pace in their rookie season. Even Bedard couldn’t quite do it, though he came close and was hyped as the nextgen talent.

I think reaching Mackinnon level is probably his ceiling, not sure he has the potential to surpass Mackinnon.

He's been extremely impressive, moreso than I expected to be sure.

 

[Bender Duster]

I watched the Jets vs Sharks game last night and it was my first viewing of Celebrini in the NHL.

He was buzzing the whole game. For a young guy he seemed to drive the play every time he was out there and definitely didn't appear to back away from contact.

He already looked like the best player on the Sharks and if he keeps this trajectory he will be one of the top players in the league in a couple of years. Super impressive!

 

[emptyNedder]

Dropping in on this conversation because I think there are reasonable views of how good Celebrini is during his career.

I would agree likely not Crosby-level. But I definitely can see Barkov or 05/06 - 07/08 Zetterberg. Something 95-100 point ceiling with excellent D and leadership.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Dropping in on this conversation because I think there are reasonable views of how good Celebrini is during his career.

I would agree likely not Crosby-level. But I definitely can see Barkov or 05/06 - 07/08 Zetterberg. Something 95-100 point ceiling with excellent D and leadership.

I think you’re underselling his offensive potential. He’s can easily have 120+ point seasons. He’s a mix of MacKinnon and peak Forsberg.

 

[Mattb124]

Celebrini has made a great transition to the pro level and may have a great future, but he simply doesn’t have the physical attributes to be a MacKinnon-level player.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

He's the perfect franchise cornerstone.

Almost a perfect player and he's only 18. Celebrini will be a monster if he develops right.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

He's not going to be Sidney Crosby, but atleast playing style wise that's his comp.

Future captain of the sharks for sure.

 

[emptyNedder]

I think you’re underselling his offensive potential. He’s can easily have 120+ point seasons. He’s a mix of MacKinnon and peak Forsberg.

Based on the highlights in this thread, I would agree. If SJ can given him a point-producing winger, the 120+ seasons are not unreasonable.

 

[Dominance]

Based on the highlights in this thread, I would agree. If SJ can given him a point-producing winger, the 120+ seasons are not unreasonable.

Shouldn’t be hard. He looks to Eklund and Smith (or Martone, perhaps) on his wings long-term:

 

[SjMilhouse]

 

[crazynaiman]

After 2 assists against the Canucks, Celebrini became the fastest player in Sharks history to reach 25 career points (besting Rob Gaudereau: 29 GP in 1992-93) as well as one of the quickest on any team over the last three decades:

Also, Macklin has hit a big milestone, recording 25 points in his first 25 NHL games. This achievement makes him the 10th first-overall pick in history to average a point per game through their first 25 games.

Here’s the full list of 1st pick players who’ve done it:

Mario Lemieux: 39 points (1984-85)
Eric Lindros: 33 points (1992-93)
Dale Hawerchuk: 29 points (1981-82)
Sidney Crosby: 28 points (2005-06)
Connor McDavid: 28 points (2015-16)
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 27 points (2011-12)
Patrick Kane: 27 points (2007-08)
Alex Ovechkin: 25 points (2005-06)
Mike Modano: 25 points (1989-90)

Celebrini is in elite company (I mean they're all super legends, except RNH) - pretty impressive start to his career!

 

[Kegs]

This kids a gem. To play at this level in all three zones at his age is crazy.