July 7th 2024.
The San Jose Sharks are buzzing with excitement as they welcome their newest addition, Macklin Celebrini, to the team. With his impressive skills and nonstop energy, Celebrini has the potential to become the next franchise player for the Sharks. General Manager Mike Grier is thrilled about the signing, stating that it will not only benefit the team, but also the fans.
At just 18 years old, Celebrini is already making waves in the hockey world. Along with fellow top prospect Will Smith, who is also under contract for the next three seasons, the Sharks have a formidable one-two punch down the middle. Some are even speculating that Celebrini and Smith may be ready to take on the center position as early as this upcoming season.
Grier acknowledges that there will be challenges as the young players make their debut in the NHL, but he is confident in their abilities and the support system in place. With veterans like Tyler Toffoli, Alexander Wennberg, Logan Couture, Mikael Granlund, William Eklund, and Fabian Zetterlund on the team, Celebrini and Smith will have experienced players to guide them and help them navigate the ups and downs of their rookie season.
It's no easy task to be a top-six center in the NHL, especially in the highly competitive Pacific Division. Grier recognizes the difficulty of playing against elite centers like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton, Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller in Vancouver, Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl in Vegas, and Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault in Los Angeles. However, Celebrini is undaunted by the challenge, expressing his excitement to face off against players he has looked up to and admired throughout his career.
Although there is some debate about whether Celebrini and Smith should start as centers or wingers, Grier believes they have the potential to excel in either position. He also emphasizes the importance of having depth and versatility in the lineup, with players who can fill in at center and help with faceoffs and defensive responsibilities.
Overall, the Sharks are confident that Celebrini and Smith will be integral parts of the team for years to come. They see them as a dynamic one-two punch down the middle and are excited to see how their careers unfold. As Grier states, "We feel very fortunate to have them both and I don't think it's fair on any of these kids to say they're going to be this or that. They'll all find their way, but we think they're going to be really good players for a long time."
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