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Celebrini’s standout season has the Sharks in playoff contention, drawing praise from rival star Bedard.Chicago Today
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard believes San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini deserves to be in the conversation for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player. Bedard praised Celebrini’s standout season, which has kept the Sharks in playoff contention, and said the young star is a ‘special, special player’.
Why it matters
Celebrini’s breakout campaign has been a key factor in the Sharks’ surprising playoff push this season, after the team finished near the bottom of the standings the last two years. His potential Hart Trophy candidacy highlights his emergence as one of the league’s elite young talents.
The details
Celebrini entered Monday’s game against Bedard’s Blackhawks fourth in the NHL in scoring with 106 points. He has either scored or assisted on 45.9% of the Sharks’ goals this season. The Sharks have a 2-15-3 record when Celebrini does not record a point. Bedard, who missed time earlier this season with an injury, has 71 points in 64 games and is tied for 20th in the league in points per game.
The Sharks entered Monday in 10th place in the Western Conference with 79 points, two points behind the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings for the final wild card spot.The Sharks have a game in hand on both the Predators and Kings.
The players
Connor Bedard
A center for the Chicago Blackhawks who believes Macklin Celebrini deserves to be in the conversation for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Macklin Celebrini
A center for the San Jose Sharks who is having a standout season, ranking fourth in the NHL in scoring with 106 points.
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What they’re saying
“I think it’s kind of a four-man race right now. But if (the Sharks) can get in the playoffs with the expectations of them going into the year, I think he’s got a great shot.”
— Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks center
“It’s been incredible. Obviously, he’s done things that are so rare in this league, and he’s just such an amazing player. I think the whole world gets to see what he’s able to do, and that’s just so good for hockey.”
— Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks center
What’s next
The Sharks have a crucial stretch of games coming up, hosting the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, visiting the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, and hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday in their final home game of the season. They then finish the regular season with a three-game road trip to Nashville, Chicago, and Winnipeg.
The takeaway
Macklin Celebrini’s breakout season has been a driving force behind the Sharks’ surprising playoff push, and his potential Hart Trophy candidacy highlights his emergence as one of the NHL’s elite young talents. Connor Bedard’s praise of Celebrini underscores the widespread recognition of the Sharks center’s standout campaign.