Macklin Celebrini Is Set To Be NHL’s Next Face
Macklin Celebrini has been the most exciting young player in the NHL and is on pace to reach 100 points in just his second season with the San Jose Sharks. He’s been absolutely electric and could be the best up-and-coming talent, alongside Connor Bedard.
In 52 games, Celebrini has 27 goals and 52 assists for a total of 79 points as we inch closer and closer to the Olympic freeze. He’s already surpassed his season total from last year, taken a huge step forward, and is a big reason the Sharks have found success and are in sole possession of a playoff spot as things stand today.
Celebrini Is the Future
He is currently on pace to have a better sophomore season than Connor McDavid, one of the best players to ever hit the ice. Celebrini is one pace for 43 goals, 82 assists, and 125 points. In McDavid’s second season, he had 30 goals and 70 assists, and it was still an extremely impressive season. It will be one of the best seasons by a sophomore since Sidney Crosby scored 120 points in 2006 and won the Hart Trophy.
He makes a ton of jaw-dropping plays on a nightly basis and has revamped the Sharks’ roster, elevating young players like Will Smith. They have the chance to break the record of the most games with 3+ points each by teammates who are both younger than 20. Right now, they are three games short of setting the record of seven done by Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky.
The Sharks Are Set Up For Success
Celebrini will be at the forefront of one of the best rosters in the league for future years, as he looks to lead the next dynasty. Obviously, the Sharks are way away from competing, but they have a ton of young talent to move if they wanted to acquire a big piece at the NHL Trade Deadline or even in the offseason.
Even though they don’t have championship aspirations, the fanbase tunes in to see what Celebrini will do and to watch him continue to grow into a franchise superstar. At just 19 years old, it is truly remarkable what he is doing and how he’s injected life into a fanbase that was uninterested in watching a team a few years ago, seemingly stuck at the bottom with no way out.
How Far Will They Go?
Unless they catch fire after the Olympic Break, San Jose will stay put in the Wild Card and will draw a tough matchup in the first round. I don’t anticipate them making a deep run, taking down top teams in the Western Conference, but it’s sports, meaning anything could happen at anytime.
A playoff berth will satisfy the fans, knowing they have the piece that holds down the foundation in Celebrini, and young players alongside him, like Smith and others, make the season more intriguing. This season is just the start of something special, and San Jose has positioned itself better than any other team.
