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Sidney Crosby Shares His Thoughts on Sharks' Macklin Celebrini

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jan 28, 2025 4:28 AM ET

San Jose Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini faced off against Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby on Monday, the second time they have played against each other this season.

Speaking before the game, Crosby didn’t hold back in his praise of the 2024 No. 1 overall pick’s game and mentality.

“I think he’s having a great year,” Crosby said. “I think the more he plays, the more comfortable he gets, the more confident he gets, and he looks like he's having a lot of fun and playing good hockey. He's gonna be a big part of their team from now on.”

Back in November, ahead of their first matchup, Celebrini couldn't wait to battle his childhood hero in the NHL.

“He's been the face of the League for so long that it doesn't even feel real,” Celebrini said on Nov. 16.

Crosby highlighted Celebrini’s dedication to playing a complete, two-way game, something that is a rare trait when it comes to players of the rookie's age.

“You can tell that he’s committed to playing both sides of the puck, and he cares a lot about being a two-way player,” Crosby said. “His skill and everything speaks for itself, but for a young player to be interested in playing on the other side of the puck and want to get better there, that’s something I think any team loves to see.”

Crosby also reflected on his own experiences as a No. 1 pick on a struggling team, such as is the case for Celebrini playing for the lowly Sharks.

“Nobody likes losing, no matter if you’re in your first year or your 20th year,” Crosby said. “But I think for him, understanding that process… he’s a competitive guy, he wants to win every night. There’s nothing wrong with that.

”That’s how you have to be, but you just gotta enjoy it.”

On Monday, however, the Sharks got the better of the Penguins as Celebrini beat Crosby in their matchup with a final score of 2-1 in favor of San Jose.

The win improved the Sharks' record to a still-league-trailing 15-32-6 while the Penguins are now boasting a 20-24-8 balance on the regular season.

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

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