Macklin Celebrini enters his sophomore NHL season with high expectations placed on him as one of the most electric rookies in the league last year. He will look to help his Sharks team take a step forward in the rebuild this season after a last place finish in 24-25.
While Celebrini came up short to Lane Hutson in the Calder trophy conversation, Mack made his mark in San Jose as one of the most exciting young players in the league.
Celebrini recently received high praise from NHL players across the league in the latest anonymous player pool. 24 players voted him as the future face of the league, more than any other player. Gavin McKenna also received 4 votes, while Connor Bedard received 3. One player commented on Celebrini’s game, comparing him to two legends of the game.
Who was Celebrini compared to?
The anonymous player compared Celebrini to a “blend of Sidney Crosby and Patrice Bergeron.” The player mentioned Macklin’s ability to elevate his linemates and carry his line.
This quote a lofty comparison for Celebrini to be compared to the likes of both players. The Bergeron comp makes sense, Macklin’s two-way game on both ends of the ice has been documented with the forward not sacrificing the defensive side of the game and still being able to produce at a lofty rate on offense. We’ll see if Selke trophies are in the cards for Mack in the future.
Celebrini has experience playing with Crosby on the international stage, having suited up alongside him for Team Canada in the 2025 World Championships. Macklin could have another opportunity to play with Crosby in the 2026 Olympics as he will work to earn a spot on the squad.
