Editor’s Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports’ coverage of the California Sharks. You can read more about his coverage San Jose hockey nowlisten to him on San Jose Hockey Now PodcastAnd follow him on Twitter @Sheng_peng.
The Sharks have never had a player and leader of this caliber.
Here’s what one NHL scout told San Jose Hockey right now — what winning Tuesday’s 2024 NHL Draft lottery — and making McLean Celebrin the No. 1 overall pick in June — could mean for the Sharks.
So could Celebrini have had more of an impact on the franchise than, say, even Joe Thornton?
That scout doesn’t project Celebrini to put up as many points as Thornton did — Jumbo’s 1,539 points are 14th most in NHL history — but Thornton, the No. 1 pick by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 draft, should have developed into a better two. -Being the center of the road and leading the work worthy of the Hall of Fame.
There seems to be less of a learning curve Pillar for Boston UniversityAccording to three NHL scouts outside of the Sharks organization who spoke with San Jose Hockey Now.
“Off the ice, his leadership and work ethic set the tone for championship-caliber,” NHL scout No. 1 said. He is the No. 1 center who scores and wins.
“From what I understand, he’s going to be a guy who leads by example,” NHL scout No. 2 said. He plays and leads with his effort on the ice, and that carries weight on the bench and in the locker room.
NHL scout No. 3 echoed:[The Sharks will] You’re getting a true No. 1 two-way NHL center. He’s a great guy, and his teammates gravitate toward him.
“Celebrini is the complete package on the ice,” NHL scout No. 2 said. “This draft class is a little on the weak side, but even in other years, I think it stacks up well, if not better, with other first overall picks. High skill and IQ, skating, full attention to detail. 200 foot player. He plays hard.
“It’s hard to find any real faults in his game, he’s on the smaller side, even though he’s very strong, listed at 189 pounds.
Former Sharks coach David Quinn summed up the potential value of the 6-foot center after the team locked up top prospects in the draft lottery last month.
“[He’s] what [the Sharks] They want to be like an organization, what the sport wants. He’s got great, great skill, but he’s got the strength to be a different type of player. Maybe a little more skill.”
Toews, a No. 1 center in his own right, scored far fewer points than Thornton with 883, but scored more than 25 goals eight times in one season and captained the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles in 2010. Conn Smythe Trophy and the 2013 Selk Trophy.
“[Celebrini] It immediately puts them on the path to the Stanley Cup,” NHL scout No. 1 said. “Now, they have zero cap-caliber. [franchise] Players, in my opinion. Mac offers them to build one for them.
NHL scout No. 3 believes Celebrini should free up the entire Sharks offense of the future: “He’ll open it up.” [Will] Smith was more offensive and giving. [Filip] Bystedt Third Line Incompatibilities. This is a very good depth in the middle.
Bystate was the Sharks’ 2022 first-round draft pick and Smith was their 2023 first-round draft pick, so this should be the third straight year general manager Mike Grier selects a future center in the first round.
The former J. Shark may be the linchpin for all of this.
“Their player acquisition process and schedule will change immediately,” NHL scout No. 1 said. “It’s sad to see what the presence of the tank has become – it could be a boost for the next decade and more. He will be the face of the franchise.
That’s, really, uh, jumbo-sized expectations for a 17-year-old. The son of Warriors director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini turns 18 on June 13, two weeks before the first round of the 2024 draft in Las Vegas on June 28.
“I just want to be careful [projecting] How quickly young players change, NHL scout No. 3, “It’s because it was taken by Buffalo, Edmonton and others. [teams] Longer than expected when they were young.”
But that’s for tomorrow. what about today Sharks fans should celebrate: McLean Celebrini is coming to town (return).
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