Macklin Celebrini enters elite territory with shocking early comparisons
Photo credit: Dose
San Jose Sharks' 2024 first-round draft pick, Macklin Celebrini, is already making headlines before his NHL debut. ESPN insider Colby Cohen, who closely followed Celebrini's Hobey Baker Award-winning season in 2023-24, believes the young prospect is destined for a stellar career both on and off the ice.
Cohen highlighted that Celebrini's focus isn't just on material success, which sets him apart from many young players.
"He's about as sure a thing as you can have," Cohen said on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast. "There is no such thing in the draft, but watching him as much as I have, I've never been so confident."
Cohen compared Celebrini's potential to that of NHL superstar Sidney Crosby, noting that it's rare to find a young player who excels in all aspects of the game, not just offense. Cohen predicts that Celebrini's rookie season could be similar to that of Connor Bedard, the Chicago Blackhawks' 2023 first-overall pick. He envisions Celebrini having a strong rookie year, contributing not only offensively but also defensively, possibly even killing penalties, though he acknowledges Bedard's superior offensive abilities.
As Celebrini prepares for his first Sharks training camp, he expressed a mix of nerves and excitement in an interview with NHL.com's Jessi Pierce. The 17-year-old phenom is focused on staying grounded and not letting the pressure get to him.
"I just feel like not letting it consume you, but kind of fuel you. At the end of the day, you've got to take care of what you can control and the rest will take care of itself, so I feel that's what I'm focusing on.»
Celebrini's impressive stats during his time at Boston University, where he scored 32 goals and added 30 assists, underscore his elite talent. As he continues to develop under the guidance of San Jose's staff, all eyes will be on him as the 2024-25 season unfolds.
| POLL | ||
11 AOUT | 61 ANSWERS Macklin Celebrini enters elite territory with shocking early comparisons Will Macklin Celebrini win the Calder trophy this year? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 47.5 % |
| No | 32 | 52.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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