The San Jose Sharks made a significant move by signing Macklin Celebrini to his entry-level contract, just eight days after selecting him as the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL draft. Celebrini, an 18-year-old center, had the option to either return to Boston University for his sophomore season or join the Sharks, and he ultimately chose to join the NHL team.
General manager Mike Grier praised Celebrini for his skills and hockey sense, highlighting his readiness to become a full-time NHL player. Celebrini’s impressive performance at BU, where he scored 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games, solidified his position as a franchise cornerstone.
The Sharks’ decision to draft Celebrini was a strategic one, as they had the worst record in the league and secured the No. 1 pick in the draft lottery. With Celebrini now under contract, the Sharks’ rebuild seems to be gaining momentum after a period of missed playoffs due to an aging core.
In addition to Celebrini, the Sharks have also signed United States National Team Development Program center Will Smith and acquired other promising talents like Quentin Musty and Sam Dickinson through recent drafts. The team has been proactive in adding both young prospects and veteran players like Barclay Goodrow and Tyler Toffoli to strengthen their roster.
The combination of young talents like Celebrini and Smith, along with established players like Eklund, Bordeleau, and Ferraro, gives the Sharks a solid foundation for the upcoming season. With a renewed focus on rebuilding and strategic acquisitions, the Sharks are poised to make significant improvements and potentially move up from their last-place finish in the league standings.
Overall, the signing of Macklin Celebrini represents a turning point for the San Jose Sharks as they continue to revamp their roster and aim for success in the upcoming NHL season. Celebrini’s talent and potential, combined with the team’s strategic approach to rebuilding, set the stage for an exciting new chapter in Sharks’ hockey.