BUFFALO, N.Y. — Despite currently facing a challenging season, Macklin Celebrini, a rookie center for the San Jose Sharks, remains optimistic. The young team, which is in the process of rebuilding, risks finishing at the bottom of the NHL standings for the second year in a row. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old keeps a positive outlook, even after a series of unfortunate misses during a recent game in Buffalo.
In Tuesday night’s matchup, Celebrini struck both the left post and the crossbar before missing a backhander in the first period. However, he remained composed and managed to score an essential goal in the third period, contributing to the Sharks’ 6-2 victory.
“Every player experiences moments when the goal seems elusive,” Celebrini commented, maintaining his upbeat demeanor. His resilience was evident when he scored seven minutes into the third period, shortly after Buffalo’s Tage Thompson narrowed the lead to 3-2. Celebrini capitalized on a pass from Shakir Mukhamadullin and skillfully maneuvered into the right circle, using Bowen Byram as a screen.
The goal was hailed as a significant moment for Celebrini, who has been widely regarded as a future star for the Sharks since being selected in the NHL draft. Coach Ryan Warsofsky praised Celebrini as a generational talent, emphasizing his overall play and leadership qualities.
“Watching Macklin compete at his age is truly exciting,” Warsofsky expressed. He noted Celebrini’s knack for inspiring his team and saw great promise in his development.
Currently, the Sharks are appreciating the small signs of improvement as they rebuild their roster. Following their comeback victory over Toronto, the team has now achieved consecutive wins, marking the first time since a brief successful spell late last year. San Jose’s recent victories come after enduring a tough stretch.
“We’ve shown that we can compete with teams in this league,” Warsofsky stated. He commended his players for maintaining a positive attitude despite previous setbacks.
Looking to the future, the Sharks’ prospects are gradually brightening, especially as they navigate the trade deadline, trading veteran players in hopes of long-term gains. Recent trades have brought additional draft picks, while underlining the team’s strategy.
Celebrini, destined to remain a central figure, has exceeded expectations since his impressive tenure at Boston University. His performance this season, tying for the lead among NHL rookies in goals and points, underlines his potential. Despite missing games due to injury, his impact has been undeniable.
For Celebrini, winning back-to-back games has been encouraging, even amid a challenging start that saw the Sharks struggle significantly.
“It’s difficult to deal with losses, but keeping a positive mindset has been vital,” Celebrini explained. He emphasized focusing on future possibilities while working cohesively with his teammates, driven by the belief that success lies ahead.
