Grier expects Celebrini, Smith to play center for Sharks originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith are naturally talented centers, so general manager Mike Grier expects the two rookies to fit in at the position in their rookie seasons with the Sharks.
While speaking with reporters on Saturday, Grier detailed San Jose’s positional plans for Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, and Smith, the team’s first-round pick in 2023, for next season.
“That’s the idea,” Grier told reporters about Celebrini and Smith playing center instead of wing during their rookie seasons. “Let’s see how the camp goes and see what [first-year Sharks coach] Ryan [Warsofsky] thinks and what the coaching staff thinks about everything. I think they were both centers their entire lives.
“Is it easier to be a winger? Of course, there is a little less responsibility. But at the end of the day, these guys have been elite centers their entire lives. And that’s what they’re used to playing, and I’m sure they prefer to play.”
During the 2023-24 NHL season, Mikael Granlund and Tomas Hertl – before being traded to the Las Vegas Golden Knights – carried much of the load at center.
Grier expects some of those core responsibilities to be relegated to Celebrini and Smith.
But rookies aside, Warsofsky and San Jose have more options than last season.
Recently, the Sharks signed free agent center Alexander Wennberg to a two-year, $10 million contract, and they have longtime center Logan Couture recovering from a groin injury. These two veterans should help guide and replace Celebrini and Smith at the center position.
“We’ll see how it goes, we have some options – guys who can step in and play center across the lineup, which is also part of the plan,” Grier added. “Some of those guys could maybe be on their wing and help them with some faceoffs and also some defensive responsibilities.”
San Jose also recently signed highest-scoring veteran, Tyler Toffoli, which will help powerfully in the ward. His presence will allow the Sharks to let their two prized rookies play center with a key asset on their side.
Celebrini, who signed his contract with Sharks Saturday, he’s expected to do big things with Smith in what should be a turnaround 2024-25 NHL season in San Jose.
Grier, more than anyone, believes the franchise’s two centers of attention are prepared to spend a lot of time on the ice in the middle of all the action.
