32 Teams, 32 Players: Macklin Celebrini

The No. 1 overall pick, Macklin Celebrini, wasted no time in making an impact. What sort of impact can he make this season, and how long will the Sharks have to wait for a return to the playoffs?

Now that the 2024-25 NHL season has arrived we are going to highlight one player on each team that stands out for the season. What kind of player? Well, a player that could make a difference, be an X-factor, be on the verge of a breakout, or just simply be a player under the microscope and needing to have a big season.

Basically — which player do I think is the most fas3cinating on each team.

We are not going in any particularly order and continue today with Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks.

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The San Jose Sharks had a nice glimpse into their immediate future on Thursday night.

Macklin Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, made his debut and dazzled with a goal and an assist, while the rest of the team stumbled to a 5-4 overtime loss that saw them let a three-goal third period lead slip away.

It is not going to be a fun season in San Jose. Again. That is also probably to be expected given the ongoing state of their rebuild and how early in the process they are.

The most important thing for the Sharks this season is not necessarily winning X number of games, but being more competitive than they were a year ago and seeing the development of their young players.

Celebrini, naturally, is the best of those young players, and as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, the most important.

So what should be a reasonable expectation for him this season as he makes the jump right into the NHL as an 18-year-old? Beyond that, what should be a reasonable timeframe for the Sharks in terms of getting back to the playoffs after having the No. 1 overall pick?

Let’s talk about it.