Macklin Celebrini is quickly establishing himself as a player whose skill set extends well beyond simply finding the back of the net.
Of course, he’s more than capable of scoring.
In a thrilling match on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, Celebrini dazzled fans with an impressive goal, marking his first career overtime tally, showcasing his knack for clutch moments.
Yet, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick of the San Jose Sharks is excelling in numerous facets of the game—not just after eight games so far, though this is merely a small sample size of his potential.
Mike Kelly from SPORTLOGiQ, also affiliated with NHL Network, provided a detailed breakdown of Celebrini’s early performances.
All micro-stats listed are from All Situations as of November 18.
Puck Battles
Among a series of striking statistics, this one may stand out the most.
The 18-year-old Celebrini is leading the entire league in Puck Battles Won per game, demonstrating an extraordinary ability to fight for possession.
To put it into perspective: a teenager is competing fiercely and succeeding in puck battles against some of the strongest and most experienced players in professional hockey.
San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has expressed little surprise at these results.
“You can tell just by his motor and his competitiveness,” Warsofsky stated. “That doesn’t surprise me that he’s top in the league in that category. You just watch the eye test.”
However, Warsofsky is also encouraging Celebrini to elevate his game further: “There’s obviously times he could even do it more often.”
Off Puck Play: Maybe most impressive, how good he is without the puck this early. Anticipates well, heavy and always battling to get pucks back.
Stat: Per-Game, 1st among forwards in puck battle wins, 20th in loose puck recoveries, 26th in blocked passes. pic.twitter.com/f6cEnsimn7
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) November 19, 2024
Gaining the Zone
Handing Macklin Celebrini the puck almost guarantees a successful zone entry, particularly during power plays, as noted by San Jose Hockey Now last week.
Now, there are the statistics to support these observations.
According to Kelly, Celebrini ranks first among NHL forwards in Zone Entries per game. He has even outperformed remarkable athletes like Hart Trophy winners Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
“He has some deception to his game. He’s got some speed to push teams back,” Warsofsky assessed. “Maybe more than some!”
Creating Offense – Puck Moving: Great understanding of how to get to the middle on entries. Something he worked on a lot at BU last season.
Stat: Per Game, 1st amongst forwards in controlled entries (9.1). MacKinnon 2nd, McDavid 3rd.
Will get better at making the most of them… pic.twitter.com/mrINUso3dq— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) November 19, 2024
Dekes
Gifted with remarkable stickhandling skills, Celebrini’s ability to traverse the ice with the puck has already adapted seamlessly to the NHL level.
He currently sits fifth among forwards in open-ice dekes, regularly outmaneuvering defenders in one-on-one situations, trailing only behind well-established stars like McDavid, Troy Terry, Jack Eichel, and Kirill Kaprizov.
His skill set also allows him to stickhandle successfully in tight spaces, not just along the blue lines.
Kelly eloquently summarized Celebrini’s progress, indicating that he is “already showing an elite ability at getting off the wall and into the middle of the ice when receiving the puck in the offensive zone.”
Explosiveness: Already showing an elite ability at getting off the wall and into the middle of the ice when receiving the puck in the offensive zone. Elusive and protects the puck well.
Stat: Per Game, 5th amongst forwards in open-ice dekes (beating defenders 1v1). Top 4 are… pic.twitter.com/FHJMTwJMMT
— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) November 19, 2024
As we revisit this impressive feat, it’s crucial to bear in mind that this is all being accomplished by an 18-year-old talent. Macklin Celebrini’s trajectory suggests he will only evolve into a more complete player for the San Jose Sharks as time progresses. The foundational skills and instincts are evidently present.
“We know he has a bright future,” Warsofsky conveyed optimistically, “him and Will [Smith], in this league of creating offense, playing the right way, and helping our organization win hockey games in the future.”
How does Macklin Celebrini’s performance compare to other young NHL players in terms of puck battles and offensive contributions?
**Interview with Mike Kelly on Macklin Celebrini’s Early NHL Performance**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mike. Macklin Celebrini has made quite an impression in his early NHL career. What stands out to you the most about his performance so far?
**Mike Kelly:** Thanks for having me! One of the most striking aspects of Celebrini’s game is his exceptional ability in puck battles. He’s currently leading the league in Puck Battles Won per game, which is remarkable for an 18-year-old. He’s physically handling some of the most seasoned professionals in hockey, and his competitive motor is evident.
**Interviewer:** That’s impressive, especially considering the level of competition he’s facing. How does he stack up when it comes to contributing off the puck?
**Mike Kelly:** Absolutely! Not only is he winning puck battles, but his off-puck play is also noteworthy. He anticipates the play well and is always looking to regain possession. He ranks first among forwards in puck battle wins, and he is doing all of this while also being effective in loose puck recoveries.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like he has a well-rounded skill set. How does he fare in terms of zone entries?
**Mike Kelly:** Celebrini is exceptional in that area as well. He leads all NHL forwards in Zone Entries per game, which is a statistic that showcases his ability to set up offensive plays. He often finds ways to enter the zone with control, even outperforming elite players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
**Interviewer:** It seems like he’s not just relying on his scoring ability, but also excelling in aspects that lead to building offensive chances. Can you elaborate on his offensive skills?
**Mike Kelly:** Definitely! While scoring is important, Celebrini’s stickhandling and puck-moving skills are significant assets. He understands how to navigate the ice to create space and opportunities, which he developed further during his time at Boston University. His controlled entries per game highlight his offensive intelligence.
**Interviewer:** After a small sample size of games, what future potential do you see for Celebrini?
**Mike Kelly:** The ceiling is quite high for him. The skills he possesses at such a young age will only improve as he gains more experience in the league. If he continues to build on these early performances, fans and coaches alike should look forward to witnessing a truly exceptional player unfold.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mike. Celebrini’s early success certainly has the hockey world buzzing. We appreciate your insights!
**Mike Kelly:** Thanks for having me! It’s an exciting time for hockey fans.
