Macklin Celebrini Is Already Changing the Sharks’ Outlook
I’ve watched a lot of rookies come into this league. Some look nervous, some look overwhelmed, and a few have a good week before settling into the usual rookie ups and downs. Macklin Celebrini doesn’t fit any of those patterns. He stepped into San Jose and immediately looked like he belonged. If you’re an 18-year-old on a rebuilding team, that stands out.
I’m saying this as someone who thinks Connor McDavid is still the best player alive. McDavid came in with a level of talent and speed that made the league stop and stare. But he also joined an Edmonton team that already had several young stars. Celebrini is doing his work on a roster that’s nowhere close to finished, and he’s doing it without any hesitation.
Three Reasons Why Celebrini Is One of the Best NHL Rookies of the Past Decade
Here are three reasons why Macklin Celebrini is one of the best rookies in the NHL over the past decade.
Reason 1. Celebrini Is Good Everywhere, Not Just in One Spot.
Celebrini doesn’t lean on one skill the way some rookies do. He makes smart reads, moves the puck cleanly, and plays both ends of the ice. He wins little battles, gets himself into good areas, and looks comfortable in situations where most first-year players get caught guessing. There’s no panic, no extra moves, just the right play most of the time.
Reason 2. Celebrini’s Impact Shows Up All Over the Ice.
It’s not just the points. When Celebrini is on the ice, San Jose looks more organized. He helps settle down plays that could easily turn chaotic. He supports his teammates, keeps the puck moving in the right direction, and doesn’t disappear when the game gets tough. That kind of consistency is unusual for a teenager in the NHL.
Reason 3. Celebrini Plays with a Calmness That’s Hard to Teach.
Most rookies have a little nervous energy—they rush shots, fumble a puck, or hesitate on zone entries. Celebrini skips most of that. He isn’t in a hurry, even when everything around him is. That calm approach is usually something you see in players who’ve been in the league for years.
What About Macklin Celebrini and Connor McDavid?
So, where does this leave Celebrini in any comparison to McDavid? McDavid still has a level of pure dominance that’s in its own category. But if the question is about being a complete center—driving play, scoring, defending, making everyone around him better—Celebrini is already showing traits that could put him in that conversation somewhere down the road.
It’s early. Too early to make big declarations. But the fact that we’re even talking about this topic before Christmas of his rookie year says a lot. The Sharks may have found the player they will build around.