The anticipation surrounding Macklin Celebrini has been palpable for quite some time now. His emergence onto the prospect scene wasn’t a sudden revelation; rather, he has been a recognized talent for years. The 2020-2021 season served as a definitive indicator of Celebrini’s potential, as he notched an impressive 141 points in 50 games at Shattuck St. Mary’s 14U AAA, trailing only behind a certain Cole Eiserman, who amassed a ridiculous 97 goals for a total of 154 points!
Since then, Celebrini has continued to shine in various leagues, including the US prep, the USHL, and now the NCAA. With 55 points in 33 games and 30 goals, he stands shoulder to shoulder with players like Jack Eichel and Adam Fantilli, boasting an even better goal-scoring rate than both of them.
Much like Bedard in the previous draft, where his superiority was evident, Celebrini is the undisputed top prospect for the 2024 draft. Despite being just 17 years old, born on June 13th, 2006, he has dominated the NCAA scene.
When evaluating players, uncertainties often arise due to potential gaps in their game. Whether it’s a lower hockey IQ relative to their overall skill set or rough skating, there are numerous factors that can lead to unmet expectations. However, with Celebrini, assessing his potential is straightforward. Every aspect of his game projects as top-tier, complemented by an elite-level shot. Just a the complete package.
Here’s a link to the full scouting report video: https://youtu.be/yTLGq4h14Hw?si=xev1QDeX5YgFBpVU
Facts
| Age: 17 | Height: 6’0″ |
| Date of Birth: June 13 2006 | Weight: 190 lbs |
| Origin: Canada | Position: C |
| Projection: 1st OA | Shoots: Left |
Skill Grades
Statistics
Skating
Skating is a major asset for Celebrini, and it’s not just about speed but also how he uses it to create space and catch defenders off guard. Firstly, he possesses a beautiful stride characterized by fluidity, quickness, and compact crossovers. Additionally, he demonstrates a powerful forward stride, utilizing the full length of his legs. His recovery of extensions places his skate right under his hips with minimal wasted motion, and he maintains a deep knee bend, poised to explode at any moment.
One might expect nothing less than a near-perfect stride and powerful legs from him, considering his father’s role as the director of sports science for the Golden State Warriors. It’s hardly surprising that his father delved deeply into perfecting his stride and worked on it with him from a young age. With that level of expertise and recognition, you listen attentively and apply whatever advice he provides!
What sets Celebrini’s skating apart is its controlled nature. He doesn’t just speed down the wing with the puck on his backhand and power his way to the net. In the neutral zone, he employs quick changes in speed and direction with his crossovers to push defenders back. He’s incredibly unpredictable, using misdirection and fakes to create separation. Once he gains that separation, catching up to him becomes nearly impossible.
Not only is he creative as a playmaker, but he’s also an inventive skater. Defenders are left clueless as to his next move, which allows him to maintain space and exploit openings.
When it comes to raw power, speed, and explosiveness, he possesses all the necessary attributes. While I wouldn’t place him on the same level as Jack Hughes (as few are), outside of his creativity, he possesses the tools to be the first on the puck, beat defenders wide, create separation for plays, exploit gaps in coverage, win races with and without the puck, apply forechecking pressure, backcheck effectively, and prevent odd-man rushes. Essentially, he can do all the incredible things that exceptional skating enables.
Ultimately, for Celebrini, it’s not just about possessing the tool itself but also about how he integrates it into his game. This integration is what sets him apart and enables him to excel at creating offensive opportunities.
Hockey sense
Celebrini’s hockey sense stands out for its effectiveness in both offensive and defensive situations. While it may seem like an exaggeration to claim equal proficiency in both areas, his ability to read plays and anticipate movements is truly impressive. Defensively, Celebrini excels at anticipating plays, positioning himself to intercept passes, and creating easy offensive opportunities by catching opponents off guard. His defensive acumen, combined with his sneaky interceptions, allows him to generate quick offense on the rush, showcasing a smart and strategic approach to the game at such a young age. While he may not match the defensive prowess of players like Owen Beck or Nate Danielson, his overall understanding of the game compensates for any shortcomings.
Offensively, Celebrini’s hockey sense shines just as brightly. He anticipates plays, positions himself effectively on the ice, and provides a reliable target for teammates while also allowing them enough space to execute their own plays. He possesses the crucial ability to recognize space and gaps in coverage without obstructing his teammates, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to exploit openings and create scoring chances. Celebrini’s decision-making on the ice is exceptional, rarely making mistakes or forcing plays that aren’t there. Even under pressure, he maintains composure and makes quick, precise decisions, showcasing his calmness and confidence with the puck.
Whether he’s controlling the play with the puck on his stick or seamlessly gliding without it, Celebrini remains a constant threat on both ends of the ice. His ability to disappear from opponents’ sightlines only to reappear at the perfect moment demonstrates his strategic prowess and knack for problem-solving. In terms of awareness and decision-making, Celebrini ranks among the top prospects in this draft class, showcasing a level of maturity and skill that sets him apart from his peers. While other players like Catton or Parekh may also possess high-level awareness, Celebrini’s overall impact and contribution to the game place him at or near the top of the draft rankings.
StickHandling
If you’ve watched my Berkly Catton video, you’ll find that this assessment of Macklin Celebrini’s puck skills echoes many sentiments, albeit with a touch more finesse and fewer unnecessary frills. His stickhandling prowess isn’t just a flashy display but a strategic tool that he seamlessly integrates with his skating to deceive opponents and execute his intentions. While he occasionally takes a direct approach akin to Demidov, driving to the net solo, he generally exhibits a more composed style. I wouldn’t describe him as reserved, as he isn’t hesitant to utilize his puck-handling abilities, but rather, he carefully evaluates his options. However, once the puck is on his stick, good luck trying to pry it away—he possesses quick, silky hands and an array of moves that can leave defenders grasping at thin air.
A crucial aspect I examine when evaluating a player’s puck skills is their ability to handle passes on the move and make quick plays with less-than-ideal pucks. Whether it’s a shot or a pass, what matters most is how a player performs under pressure with limited time and space. While beating players one-on-one is impressive, what’s more telling is a player’s adeptness at creating opportunities in traffic. Celebrini excels at creating space upon receiving the puck. Not only can he secure difficult passes, but he also consistently finds ways to create separation and time upon reception, turning potential chaos into controlled opportunities.
His knack for receiving a puck while simultaneously evading a closing player is truly remarkable. Much like Catton’s ability to retrieve pucks from tough positions, Celebrini takes it a step further by threading the puck between players’ legs to retrieve it on the other side. While some may consider my emphasis on puck reception skills exaggerated, it’s undeniably a game-changing ability in the NHL. Just observe any NHL game, and you’ll witness countless missed chances due to mishandled pucks. Even the best players experience these moments, but being even 10% better than the rest can lead to several impactful plays each week with challenging pucks. When you combine this puck reception mastery with Celebrini’s awareness and hockey sense to position himself optimally, it translates into multiple game-changing plays every night—something few others can replicate. It’s one of the many reasons why I hold players like Catton and Eiserman in such high regard; they’ve truly mastered this critical skill.
Compete
One of the reasons why Celebrini reminds me of Stützle is his fierce competitiveness despite being of average size. Both players are packed with skills and excellent skating abilities, and much like Stützle in his draft year, Celebrini displays a relentless work ethic when it comes to battling for loose pucks and using his speed to backtrack on opposing players. He consistently positions himself to be the first on the puck, seizing any opportunity to win races.
Despite his size, Celebrini appears deceptively strong. I’ve witnessed him outmuscle larger players along the boards, not just for the sake of physicality but to disrupt their progress and set up his teammates with possession of the puck.
Defensively, Celebrini is equally committed and versatile. He approaches forechecking with purpose, utilizing fakes and quick movements to trap opponents. On the backcheck, he applies pressure effectively, forcing opponents into less advantageous situations. He’s diligent about supporting the defense in his own zone and contributing to breakouts. Celebrini isn’t the type to cheat defensively; he puts in the effort required in all areas of the ice.
While he may not consistently attack the middle of the ice in the offensive zone, Celebrini also isn’t a perimeter player. It would be beneficial to see him bring the puck to the slot more often. I’m not expecting him to emulate Lindstrom and constantly position himself in front of the crease, but increasing his involvement in plays from the middle or around the slot would add another dimension to his offensive game.
Regardless, Celebrini is the type of player who competes relentlessly on both ends of the ice. When he’s dialed in, he dictates the game’s tempo and becomes virtually unstoppable, consistently winning puck battles and driving plays throughout the entire ice surface.
Passing
At first glance, with more goals than assists, one might assume that Celebrini is primarily a goal scorer rather than a playmaker, but that would be a misleading conclusion in my opinion. He possesses an incredible skill set as both a playmaker and a shooter, adept at excelling in both scoring goals and setting up plays.
Celebrini’s passing abilities are exceptional, surpassing the norm. He can deliver pinpoint passes on the tape from any angle, whether in motion or stationary, with remarkable ease. His saucer passes are particularly noteworthy, displaying just the right amount of lift and weight to evade defenders and find their mark accurately. Witnessing these passes at full speed is impressive, but upon replay, seeing the puck land perfectly without any wobble is truly remarkable. Moreover, his saucer passes carry significant velocity, making them difficult for opponents to intercept.
Additionally, Celebrini possesses the uncanny ability to navigate through any obstacle with the puck. While some players excel at passing from a standstill with space, such as on power plays, and others thrive in exploiting speed and agility during rushes, Celebrini excels in both scenarios. Given time and space, he’s virtually unstoppable, using his body, skating prowess, and puck-handling skills to deceive defenders and create passing lanes. He excels at setting up backdoor tap-ins, consistently delivering the puck uncontested to his teammates for easy scoring opportunities.
On the rush, Celebrini employs quick cuts and changes of direction to draw defenders toward him. He fearlessly carries the puck with confidence into traffic, creating pockets of space for his linemates by capitalizing on defenders’ mistakes or double-teams. His ability to manipulate defenders and create openings showcases his intelligence and strategic playmaking.
Overall, Celebrini is a highly skilled and intelligent playmaker with exceptional vision and anticipation, capable of utilizing every tool in his arsenal to generate scoring opportunities for his team.
Shooting
What’s truly impressive about Celebrini is that his playmaking skills are only half of the offensive prowess he brings to the table; his shooting ability is at least as formidable as his passing, if not better—a remarkable feat by any standard.
Let’s break down his shooting technique in motion, which is nothing short of textbook perfection. Unlike a whipping motion seen in some players, Celebrini utilizes a traditional push-pull weight transfer with his hands positioned away from the body. His shot carries serious velocity, accompanied by a compact release that catches opponents off guard. His ability to shoot effectively in tight spaces, using defenders as screens, further adds to the threat he poses. What’s more, his deceptive intentions and outstanding passing demand respect, creating a lethal combination that keeps defenders guessing, all while maintaining his agility and footwork.
On the power play, Celebrini unleashes a devastating one-timer, positioning himself strategically to release a cannon-like shot. Additionally, he possesses the rare ability to convert his one-timer into a hard shot pass, adding another layer of unpredictability to his arsenal.
Precision is another hallmark of Celebrini’s shooting prowess. He can score from incredibly tight angles, displaying fearlessness and confidence in his ability to thread the puck into the net.
Furthermore, his backhand shot is a hidden gem in his skill set. While it may not receive as much attention, it’s undoubtedly an underrated aspect of his scoring abilities. He can seamlessly catch the puck on his backhand and release it with accuracy and surprising power, exceeding expectations for a backhand shot.
In summary, Celebrini’s shooting abilities, much like his overall skill set, encompass various elements that he can deploy effectively to maximize his scoring potential.
Conclusion
What truly sets Celebrini apart is that every aspect of his game is exceptional; there are no average or slightly above-average skills in his repertoire. Each skill projects as high-end and beyond, making him a standout prospect. It’s no surprise that my NHL player comparison for him is Tim Stützle. While they may not be identical players, they share a remarkably similar skill set in my opinion. However, I anticipate Celebrini evolving into a more well-rounded player with enhanced two-way value and stronger leadership qualities. When considering offensive threat comparisons, players like Jack Hughes come to mind, but Hughes is more dynamic, and I’m not certain Celebrini’s offensive capabilities reach that level.Reflecting on this discussion, I realize that my attempt to condense my videos didn’t quite go as planned…
Moving forward, I firmly believe Celebrini deserves the top spot in this year’s draft. However, to add a bit of intrigue, I would place him alongside players like Fantilli, Michkov, and Carlsson from last year’s draft. Despite not possessing the size of Fantilli and Carlsson or the offensive hockey IQ of Michkov, Celebrini represents a perfect blend of their skills, showcasing versatility and proficiency across the board.
