{"id":398436,"date":"2026-01-08T23:09:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/398436\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T23:09:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:09:10","slug":"macklin-celebrini-setting-new-benchmarks-in-sophomore-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/398436\/","title":{"rendered":"Macklin Celebrini setting new benchmarks in sophomore season"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macklin Celebrini<\/a> is in the midst of one of the most impressive seasons by a teenager in NHL history. <\/p>\n

The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks<\/a> centre has 24 goals and 67 points through 43 games in 2025-26. Celebrini has already surpassed his point total from his rookie season (63) in 27 fewer games and is one goal away from matching his rookie tally, when he finished second in Calder Trophy voting.<\/p>\n

Just past the halfway mark of the NHL season, Celebrini trails only Connor McDavid<\/a> (75) and Nathan MacKinnon<\/a> (74) in the points race.<\/p>\n

The North Vancouver, B.C., native\u2019s efforts earned him a spot on Team Canada at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milan.<\/p>\n

Following a one goal, two assist effort against the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> on Wednesday, Celebrini now has 21 multi-assist games in his career, the sixth most all-time for a teenager. He sits second in the NHL in assists, four behind McDavid for the league lead, having only one teammate at the 30-point threshold. <\/p>\n

Most multi-assist games as a teenager:
40- Wayne Gretzky
31- Sidney Crosby
29- Dale Hawerchuk
22- Ron Francis
22- Steve Yzerman
21- @SanJoseSharks<\/a> Macklin Celebrini (Via his 2 in addition to a goal Wednesday)
21- Jimmy Carson
17- Phil Housley
17- Connor McDavid
16- Brian Bellows pic.twitter.com\/FFBo8VZl3t<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Sharks are 8-4 in their past 12 games and have climbed into the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Celebrini has recorded a point in every game during that span, tallying nine goals and 24 points to his total as the Sharks continue to rise up the standings.<\/p>\n

His 12-game point streak is the third-longest by a teenager, trailing only Patrik Laine<\/a>\u2019s 15-game streak (2017-18) and MacKinnon\u2019s 13-game binge in 2013-14. At 12 games, Celebrini\u2019s streak is equal to those posted by Wayne Gretzky<\/a> (1979-80) and Mario Lemieux<\/a> (1984-85). <\/p>\n

Celebrini is on pace for 127 points over 82 games, which would be the second-highest scoring season by a teenager in NHL history, trailing only Gretzky\u2019s 19-year-old season when he posted 137 points. <\/p>\n

Longest points streaks – Season by a teenager:
15- Patrik Laine (2017-18)
13- Nathan MacKinnon (2013-14)
12- @SanJoseSharks<\/a> Macklin Celebrini (2025-26)
12- Wayne Gretzky (1979-80)
12- Peter Zezel (’84-85)
12- Mario Lemieux (’84-85)
12- Jimmy Carson (’87-88)
12- Joe Sakic (’88-89) pic.twitter.com\/H6KlkZePCo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Celebrini has also placed himself in the Sharks\u2019 record book and now has the most three-plus-point efforts by a player over the team\u2019s first 43 games, passing franchise icons Joe Thornton<\/a> (10) and Patrick Marleau<\/a> (seven).<\/p>\n

(Related update) Most 3+ point efforts by a @SanJoseSharks<\/a> player within their team’s first 43 games of a season:
11- Celebrini (2025-26 via 1G-2A in Wednesday’s 4-3 OT win over LA)
10- Joe Thornton (2006-07)
7- Patrick Marleau (2005-06)
7- Thornton (2009-10)
6- Marleau (2006-07) https:\/\/t.co\/3AedgTijLT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The 2024 first-overall pick has placed himself firmly into the Hart Trophy conversation alongside his Team Canada teammates McDavid and MacKinnon.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is absolutely no doubt that Macklin Celebrini<\/a> is in the conversation for the Hart Trophy. Could he win it as a teenager? Absolutely, he could,\u201d TSN Director of Scouting, Craig Button said. \u201cI hang on the definition of \u2018Who the most valuable player is to his team\u2019, and I can argue right now that no other player is as valuable to his team as Celebrini.<\/p>\n

\u201cLook at where the San Jose Sharks<\/a> were last year when he was a rookie and look at where they are now. He\u2019s got his team in a playoff spot. He is dominating. He\u2019s getting matched up against other teams\u2019 best players night in and night out and all he does is outperform them.\u201d<\/p>\n