Macklin Celebrini’s Skating Makes Him Sharks’ Next Star

Macklin Celebrini posted a 54th-percentile max skating speed yet ranked in the 99th percentile for 18-20 mph bursts during the 2024-25 season.

Skating Edgework Fuels Transition Play

Celebrini grabs pucks along the boards and immediately turns to face the net, using weight shifts and edge control to split defenders. In one January 2025 sequence against the Kings he evaded Warren Foegele and Quinton Byfield before snapping a shot past Darcy Kuemper.

His straight-line speed creates fear on the outside, forcing defenders to respect the rush and opening inside lanes for his wrist shot. NHL EDGE data shows he reached the 95th percentile in 20-22 mph bursts, allowing him to separate even when opponents close gaps quickly.

The same agility that protects the puck along the wall lets him accelerate into open ice for tape-to-tape passes or one-timers. Few 19-year-olds combine that edgework with the vision to read the entire ice surface in transition.

Complete Skill Set Built on Skating Base

Celebrini’s hands allow him to change release points mid-motion, moving the puck closer or farther from his body to manipulate goalies. He already scored 25 goals in 70 games as an 18-year-old rookie in 2024-25.

His one-touch finishes in traffic and saucer passes through sticks all stem from the extra time skating creates. Defensively he maintains positioning because his first three strides close gaps faster than most veterans.

At 19 he finished the 2025-26 campaign with 45 goals and 115 points, breaking Joe Thornton’s franchise single-season record. That output arrived while averaging over 21 minutes per game.

Path to NHL Prominence

Drafted first overall in 2024, Celebrini arrived with college production of 64 points in 38 games at Boston University. His skating immediately translated, producing 63 points in his rookie NHL season despite a minus-31 team context.

The Sharks’ rebuild accelerates because one player can create offense from the perimeter and finish inside. Historical parallels to Crosby’s early dominance appear in the way Celebrini protects the puck and distributes from the middle of the ice.

Unless opposing defenses develop counters to his burst-and-cut style before the 2026-27 season, Celebrini will likely add multiple Hart Trophy contention seasons to his resume.