F Macklin Celebrini (2024, 1st, SJS)

[MichaelFarrell]

I just don’t understand where all the doubt and underestimating of Macklin’s talent came from, I’ve been saying this kid is better than Bedard and I’ll continue to stick by that and I’m a Kings fan. The kid is amazing and if I had to make a prediction, I would say he will help bring SJ a cup before the end of the decade should they continue to build properly, don’t do what BLuc did tot he Kings

I think he was just a hard player to define in a way. With Bedard, you saw the insane release, the stats, the WJC accolades and he played in Canada.

Macklin was a great all-around player. He was compared to guys like Toews and Tavares. Bedard just seemed much more dynamic and skilled compared to Celebrini. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly Celebrini would improve. His ability to process the game will make him a top player in the league.

Bedard has struggled a bit early. But, you have to know that he’ll figure it out and eventually put up 120 in the league. I’m looking forward to Bedard vs Celebrini in the playoffs one day.

 

[KingRichard]

I think he was just a hard player to define in a way. With Bedard, you saw the insane release, the stats, the WJC accolades and he played in Canada.

Macklin was a great all-around player. He was compared to guys like Toews and Tavares. Bedard just seemed much more dynamic and skilled compared to Celebrini. What I didn’t anticipate was how quickly Celebrini would improve. His ability to process the game will make him a top player in the league.

Bedard has struggled a bit early. But, you have to know that he’ll figure it out and eventually put up 120 in the league. I’m looking forward to Bedard vs Celebrini in the playoffs one day.

Reminds me of Sakic / Yzerman

I think he's better than Bedard

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Reminds me of Sakic / Yzerman

I think he's better than Bedard

I’d have to agree. But, I’m definitely not willing to bet on who is better 5 years from now.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

He really reminds me of Crosby. IQ off the charts and owns the corners.

The way he outworks players and wins puck battles is like Crosby lite. It's amazing to see at his age.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Made the Sabres look like, well, the Sabres.

I assume the plan is Celebrini-Smith as the 1-2 punch at center, but they looked so good together last night. Each made some unreal passes to the other.

 

[Oilers]

The way he outworks players and wins puck battles is like Crosby lite. It's amazing to see at his age.

Would agree, his style is like a mix of Crosby and Point for me.

He always looked great in his draft year but man I didn’t think his shot or speed were as high end as they are.

 

[Star Platinum]

Made the Sabres look like, well, the Sabres.

I assume the plan is Celebrini-Smith as the 1-2 punch at center, but they looked so good together last night. Each made some unreal passes to the other.

Depends on who we draft this year probably. Might be a competition for who gets to be 2C.

 

[coooldude]

Nice to see him finish in tight with silky hands today. Hasn't shown much finish this season - this is the first goal I can remember where he scores all alone in front/on a breakaway/shootout, despite tons of chances. One of his big improvement areas.

 

[Erika]

I said it since last year and I will say it again

Celebrini >>>> Bedard

Now and in the future and it's not really close.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Nice to see him finish in tight with silky hands today. Hasn't shown much finish this season - this is the first goal I can remember where he scores all alone in front/on a breakaway/shootout, despite tons of chances. One of his big improvement areas.

"Hasn't shown much finish" is a crazy thing to say about an 18 year old with 21 goals in 56 games, but you're absolutely right. The fact that he's at 21 goals despite middling finish shows how insane his chance and shot generation has been.

 

[Midnight Judges]

He's going to be a great player IMO. Already a stand-out.

 

[karltonian]

"Hasn't shown much finish" is a crazy thing to say about an 18 year old with 21 goals in 56 games, but you're absolutely right. The fact that he's at 21 goals despite middling finish shows how insane his chance and shot generation has been.

Yup he's 21st in the league in shots despite missing all those games.

 

[ORRFForever]

He's going to be a great player IMO.

You're really going out on a limb with that one.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Sensational...

 

[coooldude]

He's cooled off in the last few weeks, but he's also had some bad puck luck as measured by PDO.

Here's a good write up re his impact on the team. Probably won't win the Calder, but a hell of an 18yo season.

How Macklin Celebrini has revitalized the Sharks

The future is teal, indeed

bfarrell27.substack.com

 

[NikolaTesla]

I'm not saying he never will, but I am saying it's notable that he's scored in nearly every possible way in 12 goals /26 games except in all alone.

And thats really not a problem anyway. Theres a guy named Ovechkin who is pretty bad alone vs a goalie but he still managed to score a few goals in the nhl anyway.