[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Who's the Mack? Edition):

The projected consensus first-overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, LHC Macklin Celebrini, is in the midst of the 4th-best season by a U-18 player in NCAA history, with 48 points in just 30 games at Boston University, for a 1.60 ppg. Celebrini will be 17 years old until June 13th, whereas recent draftees from the NCAA, like Jack Eichel (1.78 ppg) and Adam Fantilli (1.81 ppg), were 18 for the entirety of their draft years, highlighting just how amazing, and perhaps underrated, Celebrini's season has been. It doesn't end there; Celebrini put up the 4th best U-18 tournament all-time by a U-17 player, with 15 points in 7 games, and the 15th best ppg by a U-18 player all-time at the World Junior Championship, with 8 points in 5 games for Team Canada this year, ahead of players like Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid. At the age of 15, he had the second-best season by a 15 year-old for ppg in Shattuck St.Mary's history, behind only Crosby, with 117 points in 52 games, and at age 16, he posted the most points by a U-17 player in USHL history, with 86 points in 50 games for the Chicago Steel. Celebrini is youngest player in the NCAA this season, and is currently 6th in scoring. He had shoulder surgery in the off-season, but it didn't seem to slow him down.

Celebrini is a dynamic player, with an elite brain and high-end skill, who is best classified as a dual-threat who can do it all- and is doing it against older, more developed players in the NCAA. Though he can both score and make plays, he leans a bit more towards scoring, and his 26 goals are second-most in the NCAA, behind Cutter Gauthier. Obviously, he has an elite goal-scorer's touch, with other-worldly instincts, and a lot of the damage he does comes from high-danger, in-close. He can score from farther out though, as he has a cannon of a shot, with a release that can freeze time- and he can unleash it in full flight without losing a step. He owns a potent one-timer, and a wrister that absolutely explodes off his blade. Celebrini is far from a one-trick pony though, as he makes players around him better by consistently making good split-decisions under pressure, using his elite hockey sense and IQ to find teammates in high-danger. He's a top-flight playmaker who manages the puck well with very few giveaways, and makes something happen with every puck-touch. His passes come through feet, over sticks, between legs, and through triangles- his feel for the game is on another level, and he sees dangerous seams that nobody else can detect. Celebrini picks apart defenses, capitalizes on openings, and takes over games with his ability to drive play.

Mack could stickhandle around a defender in a broom closet- he's cool and confident with the puck, beating checkers 1-on-1 through transition on the rush. The puck seems to stick to him, and he can deke around the ankles and sticks of opponents. Celebrini's speed is explosive, and his edges are smooth, with the ability to separate from opponents in open ice, and the elusiveness to shake off checks. He plays an intelligent off-puck game, knowing where to be several steps ahead of the play with his proactive positioning and awareness, and works himself into areas advantageous to recieving passes for high-percentage opportunities. He doesn't like to make too many perimeter plays, instead opting to play between the dots. Though he measures 6'0" tall, he's built like a fire-hydrant at 190 lbs, and isn't just another finesse player, as he employs some physicality in his game- he will bully opponents off the puck, finish his checks, and win board battles. He has an unrelenting motor, and a tireless work ethic, with a determined game in all 3 zones- he plays with high energy, and pushes pace. Celebrini is a difference-maker, and plays his best in the most important moments- like when he scored the game-winner in the Bronze-Medal game against Slovakia in the U-18's.

Celebrini puts in a solid effort in his own zone, pressuring opponents with his speed, stripping pucks from attackers, and causing turnovers. He doesn't cheat for offense, and applies good attention to detail. He keeps his stick active, and contributes to turning the puck around in the breakout, and jump-starting the offense. He's even good in the faceoff circle. Celebrini's father Rick is the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors of the NBA, so Macklin has the inside track when it comes to athletic development. Mack is uncommonly strong, but needs to get stronger for the next level, as he can still be knocked off the puck by bigger opponents. There are other small criticisms out there, like the fact that he can be beaten defensively sometimes, or that he needs to be more selfish, but he has no glaring weaknesses in his game. This is a future superstar in the making.