Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini Joins Legendary Company

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Hartnett | Last updated Oct 27, 2025 3:07 PM ET

Big things were expected of Macklin Celebrini ahead of his sophomore NHL season.

So far, the 19-year-old San Jose Sharks center has delivered the goods by registering 15 points (six goals, nine assists) through nine games. His point total only trails Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights and Nick Schmaltz of the Utah Mammoth, who each share the NHL points lead with 16 apiece.

Only two teenagers have ever recorded more points than Celebrini through the first nine games of a season. New York Islanders Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier collected 18 points in nine games in the 1975-76 season, and “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky tallied 16 points over the same stretch for the 1980-81 Edmonton Oilers.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby registered 15 points through nine games during the 2006-07 season, and Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson recorded 15 points in nine games in 2018-19.

Young Center Earns No. 1 Star Honor

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during a stoppage of play at SAP Center.Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Celebrini was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week ending on Oct. 26.

He led the league with 10 points (five goals, five assists) in four games. He exploded for three goals and two assists against the New York Rangers on Oct. 23. It was his second career five-point game.

Celebrini became the fourth player in NHL history to achieve multiple five-point games before turning age 20. Gretzky previously accomplished this five times before his 20th birthday, while Trottier and Hall of Fame Winnipeg Jets center Dale Hawerchuk each recorded five-point games twice prior to age 20.

On Sunday, Celebrini notched the game-winning goal to defeat the Minnesota Wild 6-5 in overtime. He alertly won the puck, went off to the races, and beat Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.

MACKLIN CELEBRINI WINS IT

The @SanJoseSharks take it in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/q4tkGvyfXi
— NHL (@NHL) October 27, 2025

The 2024 first overall draft pick is coming off a splendid rookie campaign.

Last season, Celebrini tallied 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 regular season games. He set the new record for points by a Sharks rookie. At season’s end, he was named to the 2024-25 NHL All-Rookie Team and finished third in Calder Trophy voting.

It’s not just the scoring and skill that stand out about Celebrini’s game. He is a fiercely competitive player on both ends of the rink. Last season, he won 3.84 puck battles per game, which ranked third among all NHL skaters.

The Sharks are not expected to compete for a playoff place, but Celebrini will do everything possible to accelerate San Jose’s rebuild. His burning desire will keep the Sharks in games, and you don’t want to miss his highlight-reel abilities.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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