Macklin Celebrini on the NHL Draft, his hockey journey and more

Projected first overall draft pick Macklin Celebrini joined NHL Now ahead of the 2024 Draft Lottery to discuss his whirlwind year, his decision to play college hockey at 17 years old, being the youngest player to win the Hobey Baker and more.
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[@KamikazeDreamer]

Celebrini to SJ. Bout time they get a win

[@danielflynn8530]

They won’t necessarily get a better season if he plays for them. Plus he’s 17 and needs to experience more time in college.

[@timsimtv]

Things looking up in San Jose. Celebrini and Smith as a 1-2 center Punch sounds very nice. Add Eklund/musty/Shak/Cagnoni And a 14th pick this year. Plus 40 million in cap space. A goalie and another solid d man is the next focus

[@YoBrand15]

Just can't rush it and try to be competitive now... realistically will take a few years.

[@Philo88IT]

Martini for Celebrini 🥂

[@johnmavroudis2054]

Going to be a great SAN JOSE SHARK!!!! Looking forward to Macklin's step up!!

[@Lebowski55]

This dude is going to be awesome.

[@stevenlopez1717]

He’s going to be Nico Hischier level good at his ceiling. He is not one of those Bedard, Matthews, Mcdavid type of generational talent draft picks.

[@YoBrand15]

​@stevenlopez1717 too early to tell honestly, but most likely he will be just slightly below them. Although it's still too early for Bedard too

[@robnevitt7593]

Boyle was quite the jerk to the guest

[@operasinger2126]

Great show everyone!

[@victorattias9139]

Macklin Shark

[@Lebowski55]

It seems like Celebrini's path is very traditional to the NHL. What is she talking about?

[@SharksSJ408]

Not a lot of NHLers play for the Jr Sharks, much less a first overall pick.

[@valitsemllaluokanavahyvaks3556]

@@SharksSJ408 A Canadian player playing for Jr Sharks definitely sounds quite weird.

[@Sean-ib2lb]

It wasn't traditional. He was a Canadian who went to play a year in the USHL instead of major junior in Canada, then was able to play his draft year in college when everyone else his age was in grade 12. Pretty unique.

[@Lebowski55]

@@Sean-ib2lb Fantilli is a Canadien that played in the USHL then played his draft year in college. Celebrini followed that exact path

[@Sean-ib2lb]

​@@Lebowski55 yeah kind of... but again, Fantilli's route was not common at all for a player like him. He was literally the first kid ever who was a consensus #1 CHL pick in their age group in Canada to not play in the CHL and instead opt for USHL. On top of this, celebrini only did one year of USHL and skipped grade 12 to make himself eligible for college. So, Celebrini was in college hockey while everyone else his age was in grade 12. Both routes are rare but Celebrini's path has never been done before (skipping grade 12 to play college) and will probably pave the way for more kids to do it.

[@BOBBLINGPUCK]

People act like the sharks havnt been one of the best teams and organizations in the last 20-30 years

[@Dcw-rp6ib]

Just go back to whoever is the worst drafts first the lottery punishes them if the drawing goes against them.

[@danielflynn8530]

It would be a good idea for Celebrini to stay at Boston University to continue developing his skills. Seeing Bedard's great performance after moving to Chicago indicates that a change in environment may not always result in success for the team immediately.

[@SamuelAttias-ru8fw]

Celeron sharks

[@lwh7301]

He looks like a young boy.

[@YoBrand15]

He's only 17

[@markusdowney5457]

ummmmmm ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[@pumapath2282]

bryan boyle has 0 aura. shouldve had biznasty

[@shanepara]

These interviews were mad awkward

[@afzalhakeen4941]

pittsburgh and chicago were rigged thats what i think

[@SamyDLuffy-bh6ui]

LMAO, cry me a river, Bedsy is ours, except it bro xDD

[@xmusicmanx1]

If Chicago was rigged they would’ve got this 1round too 😂

[@dibbletiki6077]

Feel so bad for the kid, was so close to playing with Bedard. Instead he's going to a bottom feeder team. Wonder if he'll pull a Lindros

[@OhYaSure]

Bottom feeder team, eh? With Bedard the Hawks were only points ahead of the bottom. Lol. Dumbo.

[@connerlewis6651]

No way he pulls a Lindros. His dad works for the Warriors and he was a Jr Shark as a kid. SJ was likely his top choice

[@davebank3218]

Hopefully chicago drafts Demidov 🙏

[@Brunoku]

Well the Lindros thing ain't gonna happen, but he said his favorite players are Crosby, Kane, and Toews.... so we know what he was hoping for when that card was pulled.

[@daviddeherrera3015]

Stop whining and appreciate what you have. He wanted to go to his home town team, he’ll be fine with Smith , and Eklund.