Should Macklin Celebrini Win MVP if the Sharks Make the Playoffs?
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Macklin Celebrini is having an outstanding season in only his second NHL year.
The 19-year-old center is performing at a level that only hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby have matched among players his age, all while helping a struggling San Jose Sharks team that has missed the playoffs for six straight seasons regain its place in the NHL.
Despite entering the season as one of the favorites to finish in last place for the third straight year, as of April 3, the Sharks are in the second Western Conference wild-card spot with games in hand on most teams. Given Celebrini’s brilliance and San Jose’s surprising resurgence, should the teenage superstar win the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player?
Sharks’ Success Comes From Celebrini’s Skill
Now that the season is nearing the end and Celebrini hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, it’s time to seriously consider whether he can win the NHL’s most prestigious individual award.
Celebrini wouldn’t have jumped into the discussion at his age if he wasn’t racking up the stats. He’s been one of the league’s most consistent and dependable scorers all season.
Playing in all 74 games this season for San Jose, Celebrini has 40 goals and 65 assists for a total of 105 points. He is fourth in the NHL in points, sixth in goals, and eighth in assists. Despite his age and relative inexperience, he is also tied for seventh among forwards in time on ice per game.
But his numbers aren’t just empty calories—they directly impact the Sharks’ fate. Look at San Jose’s recent games against Columbus, St. Louis, and Anaheim. After a six-game losing streak, during which he earned only two points, Celebrini was the one who helped start a winning run. In those three games, all victories, Celebrini contributed to nine of the Sharks’ 12 goals.
If he doesn’t perform at a superstar level on any given night, the Sharks have no chance. But if he is on his game, San Jose is one of the league’s most dangerous teams. The Sharks go as far as Celebrini takes them, and that, if nothing else, is a sign of an extremely valuable player.
Eye Test Doesn’t Lie
While the numbers are impressive, they don’t stand out as MVP-worthy, especially compared to the other favorites. However, watching Celebrini on the ice tells a very different story.
Game in and game out, Celebrini wins puck battles along the boards, forechecks aggressively, and takes responsibility defensively. He’s not afraid to hit or go into the crowded areas around the net.
However, his ability to hold onto the puck, initiate zone entries, and create opportunities for his teammates off the rush is an underrated part of his game that many fans don’t notice or appreciate unless they watch the Sharks regularly.
More than that, he enhances the performance of his linemates. Players appear to be different versions of themselves when they skate with Celebrini.
His hockey IQ and work ethic set him apart from other talented teenagers, often creating scoring chances for his teammates in ways others can’t. His stats show his tremendous impact, but watching him reveals that he not only influences the game but already has the rare ability to control it.
Celebrini is definitely not in a one-person race. The Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon, Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov, and Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid all have strong cases and remain the other main contenders with less than 10 games left. McDavid (125 points), Kucherov (121), and MacKinnon (121) all have a significant statistical lead over Celebrini.
All three have also been in the Hart Trophy conversation for nearly a decade and have combined to win five of the last nine. Their name recognition and reputation for dominance, not to mention each team’s comfortable position in the playoff standings, may create an insurmountable obstacle for the teenage phenom.
Most Valuable Player
Nevertheless, Celebrini offers other reasons why he merits MVP recognition. The Hart Trophy is the NHL’s Most Valuable Player award, after all, and no one has been more valuable to their team than Celebrini.
Celebrini’s biggest challenge might come at the expense of his teammates. The talent level he has to work with is significantly lower than his competitors—and it’s not even close.
McDavid has Leon Draisaitl, another top-5 player and perennial MVP candidate. MacKinnon has a two-time Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, Cale Makar, along with a strong roster both upfront and in net. Kucherov also has a Stanley Cup-caliber team, including Vezina Trophy frontrunner Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes.
Celebrini, on the other hand, lacks top-tier talent around him. He is on a rebuilding Sharks team with many young, inexperienced prospects and veterans well beyond their prime.
The core of Will Smith, Michael Misa, Yaroslav Askarov, William Eklund, and Sam Dickinson might become a powerhouse, but it is still evolving. Celebrini is leading Nick Leddy and John Klingberg to victories. And while many Sharks players have surpassed expectations this season, Celebrini has been the driving force pushing San Jose into the wild-card race.
Compare his production to that of his teammates. Celebrini leads the Sharks in goals, assists, points, plus-minus, time on ice, and shots on goal. The differences are striking.
Alexander Wennberg is second on the team in assists with 34, but Celebrini has almost twice as many. Celebrini also has nearly twice as many points as the next player, Smith, with 54.
Entering the Olympic break, Celebrini contributed to over 49% of the Sharks’ goals. With nine games remaining, Celebrini had points on 47.3% of his team’s goals, ranking second in the NHL. If he maintains this pace, it will set the record for the highest percentage for a teenager in NHL history, surpassing even Wayne Gretzky.
Celebrini’s impact is immense, and it’s hard to picture the Sharks making the playoffs without him. Unlike San Jose, the Avalanche, Lightning, and Oilers have other players who could keep their teams running if their MVP contenders were out.
Age Factor
It’s interesting to think about how age could influence the MVP race. While voter fatigue might affect the other top contenders, Celebrini’s age could actually work against him.
If Celebrini’s entry into the league is any sign, he is likely to be a Hart Trophy contender every season for the foreseeable future. Voters may choose not to pick Celebrini this year, assuming his time to win the award will come.
McDavid, MacKinnon, and Kucherov are all at least a decade older and have fewer prime years remaining. MacKinnon and Kucherov, each with one Hart Trophy during their distinguished careers, both deserve another shot before they retire.
However, there is a historical precedent for Celebrini. Crosby and Gretzky both won Hart Trophies in their 19-year-old seasons. Whether voters believe Celebrini deserves to join that distinguished group remains to be seen.
Olympics Effect
Even though it wasn’t NHL competition, Celebrini’s performance at the Milan-Cortina Olympics strengthened his case. He justified his unprecedented selection and stood out among a stacked Canadian roster.
Playing on multiple lines, Celebrini scored 10 points—five goals and five assists—while fitting seamlessly alongside MacKinnon and McDavid. He distributed the puck, logged significant power-play minutes, and controlled play for long stretches. Despite his age, he didn’t defer to the stars he once idolized.
His performance showcased his skills to a broader audience. Celebrini’s rise was already attracting attention beyond San Jose, but now more fans will follow him closely—not just for highlights, but for the small details that define his game.
Gone are the days of San Jose’s small-market vibe. The buzz around Celebrini could turn the Sharks into a must-see team, rivaling the league’s most passionate markets. As long as he keeps producing and the Sharks stay in the playoff chase, that exposure will keep fueling his award momentum.
The Olympics could also be another step forward in his development. After playing and training with Crosby and MacKinnon, Celebrini appears more confident and composed on and off the ice.
Following an impressive rookie season, he entered his second year with noticeable improvement. Spending two weeks alongside the world’s best may have elevated his game even more, strengthening his Hart Trophy case.
Playoff Dependent
After an exciting rookie season, Celebrini started his second year with determination and has already made significant improvements. Two weeks of practicing and playing alongside the world’s best may have elevated his game to new levels, bolstering his Hart Trophy chances.
Of course, it’s possible none of this matters. Celebrini’s entire MVP case depends on the Sharks making the postseason for the first time since 2019. Team success has to matter to some extent, and it’s difficult to imagine Celebrini receiving votes if the Sharks are on the couch come mid-April, no matter how talented he is.
But if San Jose makes the postseason and Celebrini continues to stand among hockey’s elite, he should definitely get consideration. Otherwise, what is the Most Valuable Player award even about?
The post Should Macklin Celebrini Win MVP if the Sharks Make the Playoffs? appeared first on The Lead.
