McDavid Praises Celebrini Before Sharks-Oilers Clash & Olympic Team-Up
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has been closely watching the rise of San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, and he’s thoroughly impressed. Having experienced similar expectations early in his own NHL career, McDavid understands the pressure facing the 19-year-old, and marvels at how he’s exceeding them in his second season.
“He’s having a great year,” McDavid said. “He’s a young guy that is fun to watch, exciting to watch. Obviously, they’re a team that’s feeling pretty good about themselves, they have a good thing going, a good vibe about them. It’s pretty impressive to see that whole team come together.”
First Matchup & Olympic Future
The Sharks and Oilers will face off on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SN1, NBCSCA), marking the first meeting between McDavid and Celebrini this season. However, this isn’t the last time they’ll be on the same side – they’ll soon be teammates representing Team Canada at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina in February.
McDavid highlighted Celebrini’s all-around game as a key to his success. “He seems to play a full, complete game,” McDavid explained. “I think the biggest thing is, he battles hard, and you don’t see that every day in a 19- or 20-year-old. He’s obviously got a good grasp of this league right away and knows what it takes to be successful, and that’s a great thing at a young age.”
Celebrini’s Impact on the Sharks
Celebrini is currently fourth in the NHL with 78 points (27 goals, 51 assists) in 51 games. His performance has been instrumental in the Sharks’ resurgence, as they fight for a playoff spot. San Jose (27-21-3) is currently tied with the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken for the second wild card from the Western Conference, just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division.
Last season, after being selected No. 1 overall by the Sharks in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini recorded 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games and was a Calder Trophy finalist.
Echoes of McDavid & Nugent-Hopkins
Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who also entered the NHL with significant expectations, recognizes the similarities between Celebrini’s situation and his own. “We’ve skated together a little bit (in the offseason) over the past few years,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “This year, I was unable to skate until later with my (broken) hand, but I’ve seen him and known about him for a long time now. The way he’s evolved into the player his is at this point, so fast, is very impressive.”
Nugent-Hopkins emphasized the difficulty of making an immediate impact in the NHL. “It’s extremely difficult,” he said. “There’s only really a handful of guys that have been able to step in and make the impact he has so far. I would say competing against bigger guys that you’re not used to every night is probably the hardest part. If you can think the game, it helps you, especially early on.”
A Rising Star
Matt Savoie, a current Oilers forward and former teammate of Celebrini at the 2024 World Junior Championship, also praised the young star. “He was our youngest player, but from Day 1, you could see the skill,” Savoie said. “He’s definitely a guy that you have to be aware when he’s out there with the speed that he plays at. He’s got a big motor, he’s always moving, he’s deceptive.”
Celebrini’s journey to the NHL has been marked by consistent dominance, from his impressive stats in the USHL to his standout performance at Boston University. He’s quickly proving himself to be a player to watch for years to come.
Learn more about the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina on NHL.com.
