The San Jose Sharks are missing out on the playoffs for the sixth season in a row. This is not keeping the team down. With such a young roster, the team is taking each game in stride to grow and develop. Give them a few years, and this team will be back to their full potential and winning more games.
Macklin Celebrini was selected number one overall in the 2024 draft by the San Jose Sharks. The young forward spent one year playing NCAA hockey for Boston University before jumping to the NHL. He had 64 points during his freshman year, with 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games. At the age of 17, he became the youngest Hobey Baker Award recipient. He became Rookie of Year and Player of the Year for Hockey East.
The Vancouver native hung up his college jersey for the Sharks’ teal sweater for this season. Celebrini made his NHL debut on October 10th against the St. Louis Blues on home ice. He scored his first two points the same night, making his first goal in the NHL the second-fastest in history by a player selected at number 1. He had missed 12 games early on due to an injury but this setback did not keep him from being named the Rookie of the Month for November.
Celebrini has played in 59 games, with an average of 19:50 minutes on the ice. He has totaled 21 goals, 32 assists and 203 sh0ts on goal. He has the recent game-winning shootout goal against the Maple Leafs. He is a top contender for the Calder Trophy, trailing behind fellow Boston University teammate and Montreal Canadiens’ Lane Hutson. The rookie has been moved to the starting top-line center position, where he has won 47.7% of faceoffs.
Will Smith was a 2023 fourth-draft pick by the Sharks. The Boston College player spent two seasons in the NCAA where he continued to develop his skill. He led the NCAA Division 1 players with 71 points, totaling 25 goals and 41 assists. He was in the top 10 for the Hobey Baker Award and set his school record for the most points set by a freshman.
Smith took his rookie lap alongside Celebrini on October 10th for his NHL debut. He scored his first two goals on October 31st when the Sharks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks at home. He became the youngest U.S.-born player to score multiple goals in one game as well as the first in Sharks history since Patrick Marleau. He now has 13 goals and 23 assists in 63 games with an average of 15:19 of ice time.
Throughout the last 71 games, the team has not performed the way it would have hoped. The team is sitting last in the league with a record of 20-42-9 with a total of 49 points. The franchise has conducted multiple trades this season and has brought in young players to help their rebuild. The team has become one of the most loved teams throughout social media and with their fans. All from the two young rookies who are now the face of the team and on occasion, the league.
Celebrini and Smith have become inseparable in their daily lives which has become a social media phenomenon among fans. The rookie’s antics have brought in new fans to the NHL. These antics include their most recent and popular sleepover with Toffoli while on the road. Their multiple bets on their college teams resulted in the loser sporting the other’s jersey. Has also taken over social media.
Fans can appreciate the fact that even though their team is in its rebuilding era, it is remaining positive. The influx in viewers and attendees to the Sharks games has been credited to the rookies. Last place might be where they are in the standings, but they are the top team for having fun. Their growth, skill and development have been noticed throughout the last few months. They have taken on more responsibility and have been gaining more time on the ice.
The Sharks have swept the Toronto Maple Leafs this season in two shootouts. On Thursday’s game, Smith and Celebrini came through and scored goals during the shootout to give them their 20th win. In addition to their shootout goals, Celebrini had the secondary assist on Toffoli’s third-period goal. The Leafs are first place in their division and have lost to the last-place team not once but twice.
The Sharks have 11 games left this season. They will be facing the Rangers at home on March 29th. If the Sharks can win against the Rangers, this would hurt New York’s chance at closing the gap between them and the playoffs.
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