The Scouting Report:
Celebrini is going to be an entertaining player to watch as he develops and grows into himself. Ever since he returned to play from his shoulder surgery last year, he has been on a tear. During this season with Boston University, Celebrini played in 38 games and notched 32 goals with 32 assists. Celebrini comes in second with scoring, right behind Boston College’s Will Smith, averaging 1.68 points per game. When you watch Celebrini in action on the ice, it’s very clear why he is projected to be picked first overall. Celebrini is a very competitive and lethal player when he is on the ice. He wants to be at the net, down low, and involved in every single game and step of the way.
Hockey is a family affair for the Celebrini family. Celebrini’s brother, Aiden, a defenseman for Boston University, was drafted in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He was picked #171 in the Sixth Round, by the Vancouver Canucks. His father, Rick, has worked for the Canucks and MLS Whitecaps and continues his work as a physiologist.
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Draft Projections
Ranked #1 by Inside The Rink
Ranked #1 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #1 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #1 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #1 by THN/FERRARI
Ranked #1 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #1 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #1 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #1 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #1 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #1 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #1 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #1 by SPORTSNET/COSENTINO
Ranked #1 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #1 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #1 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #1 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #1 by SMAHT SCOUTING
Conrad Jack of Inside The Rink has Macklin Celebrini projected at 1st overall
I’ve highlighted some of Macklin Celebrini’s attributes, let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes and areas for improvement.
Diving Deeper:
Skating
Celebrini is a strong skater in every sense. He has the foundation to build upon his two-way game. Celebrini has the acceleration for skating that will be essential in his NHL play, meaning he can reach speed in just a few steps on the ice. His agility and edgework are excellent and more advanced than those of his draft class.
He can play with the puck in possession and not in his possession. He can cut through traffic smoothly. When he has the puck in his possession, he moves at a very high speed, which could essentially make him dangerous when he has the puck. Standing at 6’0 and 190 pounds, he has good size and strength for someone his age in the draft class. Celebrini Celebrini also has good size and strength for his age. He is hard to defend with his ability to win battles along the board. Celebrini is unafraid of high traffic on the ice and will make plays around bigger defenders. As he gets older and stronger, this can only get stronger with good development.
“He’s a special player and belongs in that special category because in every environment, every situation he goes, he can excel and that’s hard to do as a 17-year-old.”
-Dan Marr- Central Scouting Director
Offensive Game
Celebrini is no stranger and is not afraid to make the physical contact needed. He plays close to the goal and tends to play down low. Celebrini’s quickness with the puck and his smooth hands make opposing goaltenders always guess what he will do when he is at the net.
His hockey IQ makes his hand-eye coordination with the smooth ability to deposit rebounds, tip-ins, and one-timers, something for any team to look at in the draft. Celebrini’s vision and passing skills to set up his linemates make him a good playmaker, another attribute that should be looked at by teams.
“Celebrini does initiate physical. I think Bedard’s edges, side to side, are a little better, but Celebrini’s good and he may have a little bit more speed. They’re different players even though you see these numbers and you think, ‘OK, are they going to be the same?’ They would complement each other really well, but I would never use a comparable of Connor Bedard for Macklin Celebrini.”
– Central Scouting- David Gregory
Related Post: Three Candidates for the San Jose Sharks’ 14th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft
Defensive Game
Celebrini plays an effective two-way game in any environment. He can read the play, move his body into the lanes, and create turnovers. Celebrini supports his defense by tying in his ability to go down low and apply pressure when his teammates are in the rush.
He will battle for any loose pucks in his vision and keep the opposing team to the outside of him. Celebrini’s face-off skills will need to strengthen but this will come with time, age, development, and experience.
On-Ice Abilities:
Celebrini can add the element of being a fast skater and can move up the lanes quickly in situations. His ability to battle along the boards and keep the puck in his possession is why teams are looking to add his aspect to their teams for the future. Celebrini’s physicality in tight spaces, in board battles, and being close to the goal is another ability that most players look to strengthen before they make the NHL roster.
Prospect Potential:
Celebrini will likely be slotted in on the first line for the team that chooses him during the draft. He will be a great depth piece for that team at center and provide the physicality, goal-scoring, and play-making that isn’t found naturally in players coming into the draft.
Best Potential Fit:
Celebrini could be the best fit for a lacking San Jose Sharks organization. Much like the Chicago Blackhawks Forward Connor Bedard, Celebrini could be the one piece of the puzzle for San Jose to help rebuild the roster back into a competitive team long-term. Celebrini isn’t perfect defensively, as he will sometimes try to dive to get the puck from the opposing team and get beat by that team, but his two-way ceiling is something to watch.
Final Thoughts:
As Celebrini gets older and stronger, his skills will only further his ability to be an elite player in the NHL. Celebrini could likely see 60,65,70 point seasons, but as he transitions from college hockey to professional hockey is when hockey fans will get a look at what his capabilities are with the right team around him and his ceiling.
Stats via Elite Prospects
