Macklin Celebrini is Already Attracting Star Players to San Jose

Macklin Celebrini has taken the hockey world by storm in 2025–26, and he is somehow only continuing to get better with every passing game. What he’s done at the NHL level so far has been amazing enough, but when you factor in how dominant he’s looked as a teenager at his first Olympic Games, everyone is starting to realize something very special is brewing.

It’s been six straight seasons without playoff hockey for the San Jose Sharks — and it would become seven if they miss this year — but with Celebrini in the fold, the vibes around the organization are as high as they’ve been in a long time. As a result, star players around the league have started to take notice.

Former NHLer, now analyst, Mike Rupp spoke about Artemi Panarin having been willing to go to San Jose and sign an extension as a precursor for what could be to come.

Rupp said:

“So let me just throw this out there too, because the conversations with the whole Panarin where he was going to go. That was a destination that I believe Artemi Panarin and his camp were thinking about. If Macklin Celebrini’s not there or to this level, do you think Artemi Panarin’s considering going to San Jose and signing an extension? So this is just an example — they’re going to start getting more and more shine, with players going there via free agency or whatever the circumstances are,”

The 19-year-old Celebrini is second in scoring at the Olympics with 10 points (five goals, five assists) through five games. He’s, of course, been just as good in San Jose this year, having racked up 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in just 55 games.

Panarin Won’t Be the Last to Want to Join Macklin Celebrini

When all was said and done, Panarin wound up going to the rival Los Angeles Kings, but the fact that the San Jose Sharks were even in consideration for a player of that caliber just goes to show how things are starting to turn.