How the Sharks will decide whether Celebrini will play in the NHL next season originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
The question for the Sharks is not whether Macklin Celebrini will play at the SAP Center, but rather when?
As San Jose prepares to make Celebrini the #1 overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft on June 28 in Las Vegas, it remains uncertain whether the 17-year-old center will make his professional debut or continue his illustrious college career at Boston University next fall.
But if Celebrini committed to turning pro before next season, would the Hobey Baker Award winner be ready for the NHL level of play?
Talking about the “NHL Draft Class Podcast“, Sharks director of amateur scouting Chris Morehouse shared his opinion on whether or not Celebrini will be an instant player in Ryan Warsofsky’s rotation next season.
“I’m going to take the age the boy is [going to],” said Morehouse. “Again, it’s kind of the response you get when you feel like people don’t want to respond, but it’s the truth.
“I think, and it’s one thing that working with Mike [Grier] and the Sharks organization is [that] you put children first and ensure they are placed in the best situation to develop and grow.”
Morehouse was highly complimentary of San Jose’s player development structure and ultimately neglected to directly offer a straight answer as to whether or not the highly rated Celebrini will wear the Sharks teal in October.
In fact, the San Jose director made it clear that if Celebrini turned pro, the Sharks new technical committee led by Warsofsky, would determine whether or not he would be ready for the NHL.
“We have a fantastic development team with Todd Marchant, Luca Sbisa and Tommy Wingels,” Morehouse added. “We are very lucky to have a group around the world that cares for these children.
“If it’s Celebrini, and [he] comes to that decision after the draft and it becomes this, this is going to become a conversation that’s not for me. It’s more what’s best for the kid, what’s best for the future of the Sharks, as well as the future of any player whatsoever.”
As things stand, Celebrini, who also spoke on the podcast, remains uncertain about where he will play hockey next season.
“I feel like it’s mostly the situation I’m going to be put in on both sides,” Celebrini said.
“I will still talk about this with my family and my advisors, and make the decision that is best for me and that makes the most sense for my career.”
Whether the young prospect turns pro and is ready for the NHL level or not, it appears the Sharks organization is willing to protect and work around the projected future of the organization.
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