After being the first No. 1 pick in the San Jose Sharks franchise history, Macklin Celebrini has already surpassed high expectations.
Finishing third in Calder Trophy voting and being named to the NHL’s All-Rookie team are significant achievements. Those accolades haven’t gone unnoticed by top NHL media outlets and rankings.
NHL Network is releasing its annual Top 20 lists of players at every position. After just one season with the Sharks, Celebrini finds him self 19th on the Top 20 NHL Centers list.
Being on the same list as top talents like Connor McDavid and his hockey idol, Sidney Crosby, proves the league is taking notice of the San Jose Sharks’ top talent.
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Celebrini finished ahead of the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Sam Bennett. He slots just behind Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson. Center and defense are arguably the hardest positions to learn in the NHL. Celebrini became the Sharks’ No. 1 center after Mikael Granlund was traded and wasn’t phased.
After his second season and potentially a spot on the Canadian Olympic hockey team, who knows where the Sharks forward will rank next season?
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