The notion that a projected No. 1 pick could be flying under the radar sounds ludicrous. But when you’re next in line after Connor Bedard, and the public is perhaps still recovering from the media circus he drew in his draft year, it’s actually possible.
No, Celebrini is not a once-in-a-decade prospect like Bedard. He is, however, a special player with franchise center potential — one who deserves more buzz and attention than he’s currently getting. Celebrini, the youngest player in college hockey, scored 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games as a freshman at Boston University and won the Hobey Baker Award.
The dynamic two-way center’s 1.68 points-per-game rate as a first-time draft-eligible player in the NCAA only narrowly trails Jack Eichel (1.77) and Adam Fantilli (1.80). The key difference, however, is that Eichel and Fantilli were both two of the oldest players of their respective draft classes. They were ripping it up as 18-year-olds whereas Celebrini, one of the youngest players of his draft class, won’t turn 18 until June.
It’s rare for 17-year-olds to produce in the NCAA — no player since 2000 has scored more at the same age than Celebrini. Jonathan Toews, for context, is second in U18 NCAA scoring with 22 goals and 39 points in 42 games for the University of North Dakota during his draft year.
Here’s a closer look at Celebrini’s game and what makes him such a talent — and why his two-way game is reminiscent of Toews.
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Why projected 2024 NHL Draft No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini’s film reminds us of Jonathan Toews
FAQs
The San Jose Sharks have won the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery and will pick No. 1 overall at the draft in Las Vegas this summer. With that top overall pick, the Sharks will get a new franchise cornerstone in the form of Boston University star Macklin Celebrini.
Who gets the 1st pick in the NHL draft 2024? ›
As per their April 2024 agreement, all draft rights held by the deactivated Arizona Coyotes franchise were transferred to the new Utah Hockey Club. The San Jose Sharks will have the first overall pick for the first time in franchise history.
Who is the number one NHL prospect in 2024? ›
Macklin Celebrini is the consensus pick to go No. 1 overall.
Who won the 2024 draft lottery in NHL? ›
The San Jose Sharks won the lottery and have the No. 1 pick.
Who was the Sharks number one pick? ›
- For the first time in team history, the San Jose Sharks will have the No. 1 pick in the draft. The announcement was made Tuesday and now fans and the mayor are reacting to the news. Macklin Celebrini is expected to be the #1 pick in the draft, and he's no stranger to the Bay Area.
Which NHL team has the most draft picks in 2024? ›
Though the Arizona Coyotes have the most picks in 2024 with 13, the situation with the Montreal Canadiens may just be the more interesting story ahead of the draft, which takes place June 28-29.
What pick was Wayne Gretzky drafted? ›
Early prodigy
Marie Greyhounds selected him with their third pick, and Gretzky went on to score 182 points for them in the 1977-78 season as a 16/17 year old, though he lost the scoring crown to 19/20-year old Bobby Smith who finished with 192 points.
Who is the best goal scorer in the NHL draft 2024? ›
Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National U18 (NTDP)
All he does is score. Eiserman's 58 goals were the most in USNTDP history since Cole Caufield in 2019. A threat to score from anywhere in the offensive zone, makes him easily the best goal-scorer in the draft.
Who is the projected #1 pick in the NHL draft? ›
2024 NHL Draft Lottery tonight, projected No. 1 pick Celebrini to attend | NHL.com.
Who has the number one pick in 2024? ›
The worst kept secret in the NFL finally came to fruition Thursday as the Chicago Bears selected highly-touted USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But the theme of the first round was the run on quarterbacks.
That's how certain seven experts are that the San Jose Sharks will make Macklin Celebrini the first overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Who won the 2024 draft lottery? ›
The Atlanta Hawks won the 2024 NBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm, which was conducted at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.
What were the results of the NHL draft lottery? ›
The San Jose Sharks landed the first pick in the 2024 NHL draft during Tuesday night's lottery and the right to select Boston University standout Macklin Celebrini in June. The Sharks finished last overall and had 18.5% odds to win the pick. They will select first for the first time in franchise history.
How did the Sharks do in the draft? ›
The Sharks won the draft lottery on Tuesday. The Chicago Blackhawks came in at No. 2, followed by the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens. The 2024 NHL Draft is June 28-29 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Do the Leafs have a first round pick in 2024? ›
The Leafs currently hold the rights to the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, a position they have previously selected in 1964, 1971, and 1992.
Do the Penguins have a first round pick in 2024? ›
PITTSBURGH – After back-to-back years with a first-round draft pick, the Pittsburgh Penguins will enter the 2024 NHL Draft without a first-round selection. The Carolina Hurricanes' failure to reach the Stanley Cup Final completes a trade condition from the Jake Guentzel deal.
Who will get the first pick in the 2024 NBA draft? ›
The 2024 NBA Draft has been a guessing game. And that'll continue until the Atlanta Hawks -- barring a trade -- make the first pick on Wednesday, June 26, when the first round begins.
How many picks do the Blackhawks have in the 2024 draft? ›
May 16, 2024 at 7:00 a.m. Having the No. 2 pick — along with a second first-rounder, No. 20, as well as three second-round picks — carries a bit more intrigue for the Chicago Blackhawks this NHL draft than the cut-and-dried first pick.
