\u201cCan I pick both?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo I have to choose?\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked between choosing Sharks center Macklin Celebrini<\/a> or New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer<\/a> to start an NHL franchise, those were common refrains.<\/p>\n But in the end, over two dozen current and past NHL coaches, scouts and executives — none with the Sharks or Islanders right now — picked one.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is as hard a choice as you can have in this sport right now,\u201d one coach said.<\/p>\n San Jose Hockey Now also asked if any other U23 players belonged in this conversation.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are the [only] choices,\u201d one scout said, which was the consensus.<\/p>\n Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson was mentioned by a couple of sources as a not-so-close third in this conversation \u2026 and that\u2019s it.<\/p>\n So, what do Celebrini and Schaefer\u2019s head coaches think?<\/p>\n Of course, they\u2019re going to pick their own player, but both shared their thoughts about the other team\u2019s teen franchise face.<\/p>\n \u201cMan, he’s impressive out there. From nothing, he creates a lot of offense. He’s got a really good shot, moves the puck well,\u201d Islanders coach and Hockey Hall of Famer Patrick Roy said about Celebrini. \u201cWhat’s impressive is to see how hard he works shift after shift after shift.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe can move pucks. He’s creative on the offensive blueline. He can get up in the rush. He’s almost a fourth forward out there. But then, on the flip side of it, you can tell he cares about defending. He cares about getting better,\u201d Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said about Schaefer. \u201cHe’s a competitor. He wants to win. He drags guys into the fight by his personality \u2026 You’ve heard some things that have come out of there, how special of a human being he is \u2026 he’s got real good attributes for leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n All said, Celebrini won the poll by a landslide, 21-5. But it was as close as an essentially 4-to-1 vote can be.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very close,\u201d an executive said. \u201cAfter next year, I might switch to Schaefer.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what some of the coaches, scouts, and executives said.<\/p>\n Coaches<\/p>\n Coach No. 1: \u201cCan I pick both? Haha. Celebrini.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, an elite No. 1 center is the most valuable asset for a team and franchise. [It\u2019s his] offensive impact \u2014 drives the play every shift. Can\u2019t do that as a D.\u201d<\/p>\n Coach No. 2: \u201cI would take Celebrini. I love both, but I feel like you have the biggest impact as a leader in the center position. You can dictate on both sides of the puck without sacrificing playing the right way. As of now, I can\u2019t say I\u2019d want anyone else. [I\u2019ve heard] that Macklin does it right off the ice, as well. Invaluable.\u201d<\/p>\n Coach No. 3: \u201cThat is as hard a choice as you can have in this sport right now. But I always take the defenseman, when it\u2019s this close, and you are choosing between a forward and a defenseman.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI know Macklin is as good a person and leader as he is a player, so if Schaefer is close to what Macklin is off the ice, I take Schaefer\u2026barely!\u201d<\/p>\n Coach No. 4: \u201cTough one\u2026I\u2019ll go with Celebrini, based off I\u2019ve seen him more. I think those two have separated themselves from the pack, for young guns.\u201d<\/p>\n Coach No. 5: \u201cCelebrini in a very close decision. It seems like he already has the leadership skills.\u201d<\/p>\n Scouts<\/p>\n Scout No. 1: \u201cGreat question! Tough to answer. I go Mack, winning intangibles, one of the two, three most competitive people in hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n Scout No. 2: \u201cGenerational center. [Celebrini] looks like he\u2019s going to be on the McDavid\/MacKinnon trajectory. Schaefer is on the Makar trajectory. In that case, I\u2019d take Celebrini. There\u2019s no wrong choice here.\u201d<\/p>\n Scout No. 3: \u201cGenerational, best since [McDavid] and [MacKinnon]. Drives the game, changes games, the most I’ve seen in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n