F Macklin Celebrini - No longer in college. Playing for Sharks (2024, 1st, SJS)

[ORRFForever]

It's the smart move (the team is insanely young and they need some leadership / experience) but, I agree, I wanted to see Celebrini.

 

[Kevin Musto]

It's the smart move (the team is insanely young and they need some leadership / experience) but, I agree, I wanted to see Celebrini.

There's no world in which Dubois is a leader

 

[William H Bonney]

Good for him, going to San Jose where he's lived before

 

[TheWayToRefJose]

Welcome to SJ Macklin!

SJs prospect pool is suddenly pretty legit. Celebrini, Smith, Musty, Eklund as damn good prospects.

Muk, Haltunnen, Cagnoni as the 2nd tier.

Have to imagine they pick a D man that falls with 14.

 

[Castle8130]

Happy for San Jose. Would've loved him in Chicago, but san Jose is a great spot

 

[Stewie Griffin]

It's a perfect story. Played for the Jr Sharks, dad works for the warriors, and Mike Grier (and formerly David Quinn) have been adding tons of people (not just players) from the Boston area and BU in general.

I hope he and Smith both sign this summer.

 

[coooldude]

Welcome to San Jose. Dude plays like MacKinnon. Hopefully he's as intense and dedicated. Hopefully it was just nerves/awkwardness and he gets more comfortable in front of the camera

 

[Kevin Musto]

Congrats to the Sharks

They need all the help they can get

 

[UnSandvich]

Glad the Sharks are getting him instead of certain other orgs.

 

[RedHawkDown]

Thank god he’s going to SJ and not Chicago.

Musty-Celebrini
Eklund-Smith

Is a fantastic base for a top6.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Feel like they should keep him in school another year.

 

[HanSolo]

Didn't even know about his pre-existing ties to the bay area. Cool stuff. Makes it easier to swallow that he's going to a rival. Chicago not getting him helps there too.

 

[93LEAFS]

Feel like they should keep him in school another year.

Naw, I get being conservative with certain prospects, but the Sharks have a ton of ice time and opportunity to give him. He's ready for the NHL. Maybe he doesn't step in and light the world on fire, but it's not like he's gonna sit around on the 4th line. He's gonna get top 6 minutes, top PP minutes and be put in positions to succeed.

 

[William H Bonney]

I can't imagine they don't sign him. What I think it'll do for them though is to not pressure Smith to sign, give Musty a role, etc. as well. Can only have so many teenagers in that lineup.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

like i said before; next Patrick Marleau for the Sharks

 

[ORRFForever]

Feel like they should keep him in school another year.

Yup.

What would be the point of putting the kid in the NHL on the worst team I've seen since, well, Chicago drafted Bedard?

Let him have another year to grow and improve.

 

[ameselare]

Another bit from The Athletic (Scott Wheeler), article written after the lottery today:

"I wrote before the lottery that I believed the results could influence Macklin Celebrini's college decision. He has said publicly that he's not opposed to going back, and has suggested privately that he's considering it. It being San Jose makes it a particularly interesting and layered decision. They're a long way away, maybe the furthest of the bunch. Next season is quite likely going to be another ugly one for them on the ice. Does that make a return to Boston University more likely? I'd think yes.

There are pulls in that direction, too. He's a late birthday. His close friend Cole Eiserman is going to be a Terrier next season. Nobody has ever won back-to-back Hobey Baker Awards. He could chase that World Junior gold in Ottawa (I know Hockey Canada hasn't ruled having him out). There's a lot to consider and now less of a rush to jump into the NHL, I'd think. That doesn't mean he doesn't sign, but the case to return is likely more compelling now.

It's worth noting that I'm very confident he's ready to play in the NHL, so the decision to go back shouldn't be about that. He's physically prepared. His game has the required roundedness to fit into the pro structure and hold the responsibilities of playing down the middle in the best league in the world. He's got the skill, and playmaking, and instincts, and strength, and skating, and smarts, and all the rest. I think he's a contributing, even impactful player from Day 1. From Day 1, and without much trouble, he could score 20 goals and 40 points and be a strong component of their PP1, and play with their more talented wingers."

This honestly could be a whole lot of smoke and no fire - just speculation and then he signs and we forget this ever happened. It is interesting that it's a conversation that's happening though, as it's not something we're used to with 1OA picks.

 

[CanadienShark]

Something good happened for once in history. He seems like a match made in heaven as a player and also given his history with SJ and the Boston/Grier connection. I'm still in shock.

 

[Boy Hedican]

Welcome to San Jose. Dude plays like MacKinnon. Hopefully he's as intense and dedicated. Hopefully it was just nerves/awkwardness and he gets more comfortable in front of the camera

Mack is all about intense and dedication. Practice, pickup, game, he goes 100 all the time.

Grier: (in selecting Mack 1oa)

"I would think so," he said. "He plays 200 feet. He's 17 but he's got a really solid build on him already and I think he's got a professional attitude and mentality already. I've talked with Jay Pandolfo at BU, and he said sometimes they have to kick him off the ice.

"I just think it's how he plays the game; he works just as hard in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone. When you put it all together we think he's in a good spot (to be NHL-ready)."

 

[WeThreeKings]

Congrats Sharks, thank you from blocking the Chicago Aldritches from being gifted something else they don't deserve.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Thank god he’s going to SJ and not Chicago.

Musty-Celebrini
Eklund-Smith

Is a fantastic base for a top6.

from 25-26 or 26-27 season on?
- because..

Celebrini, 17, will not be Sharks 1C from the get go, Granlund has 1 year left of his contract and he just had an amazing season, all considered
(if they decide to bring him to San Jose at 18)
Musty, 18, not gonna play in the NHL next season
Smith, 19, 19 year old coming straight from college hockey to 2nd line center position in the NHL... probably not

but i do agree, looks fantastic!

 

[Sacha BOXviert]

Reading the comments I realize that Chicago fans are the best in the NHL. Nobody cries, I'm just reading congratulations to San Jose.

 

[Kalv]

Oh man, I will have to hate him now

 

[coooldude]

Reading the comments I realize that Chicago fans are the best in the NHL. Nobody cries, I'm just reading congratulations to San Jose.

I was reading very gracious congratulations to SJ until I read one comment that congratulated Chicago fans for being the best in the NHL...

 

[Sacha BOXviert]

I was reading very gracious congratulations to SJ until I read one comment that congratulated Chicago fans for being the best in the NHL...

It's fresh air after watching Montreal and Detroit fans hate my team here 24/7. By the way, congratulations again