Last-minute announcement from the Red Wings on Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini
Photo credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
Ahead of Friday's face-off against the San Jose Sharks, the Detroit Red Wings are aware of Macklin Celebrini's elite skills and need to shut him down from puck drop.
On Friday, former 1st overall pick in 2024, Macklin Celebrini, will be welcomed into Little Caesars Arena to face off against the Detroit Red Wings.
Even though they're one of the worst teams in the Pacific Division, they could pose a problem for the Red Wings.
This is the same team with which the Red Wings completed a trade that will haunt the team for years to come.
In their two recent matchups, the Sharks have outscored the Red Wings 12-8. This included a 6-5 overtime loss in 2023.
The last time the Red Wings defended home ice against the Sharks with a win was on January 24, 2023, in OT, 3-2, thanks to Andrew Copp.
With new additions to the team, including Yaroslav Askarov and Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks aren't going to be an easy out on Friday.
"He's obviously the main focus," Patrick Kane said of Celebrini following Thursday's practice. "He's the main guy offensively for that team; he's been carrying them all year."
This season, Celebrini has scored 70 points (24-46) and has proven to be a generational talent as he's been hyped to be.
In 2024, the Sharks announced their new head coach, Ryan Warsofsky, who is 36 and has been a vital resource for Celebrini to develop as a player.
The Detroit Red Wings will have to shut down superstar Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks on Friday
As Friday approaches, Todd McLellan will have to find a way to shut him down from the start. At only age 19, he's ranked third in NHL scoring and can't even buy himself a beer yet. The Red Wings' hands will be full with Celebrini on Friday.
He was a recent addition to Canada's Olympic roster, too.
"His points compared to the next guy on their team show how valuable he's been, and he's got them in a playoff spot now, too," Kane continued. "He'll definitely be the main focus of our attention defensively, and making sure whoever is on the ice is aware of him."
Trailing behind him is Tyler Toffoli, who is 2nd in scoring on the Sharks with 32 points. A whopping 38 points behind the sophomore sensation. They'll look to hold onto the second Wild Card playoff spot in the West.
And after their 3-2 OT defeat by the Red Wings on the road on November 2nd, they'll look to even the odds.
"It's not an easy task because the book on him isn't real big in the NHL; he's taken it by storm and is an incredible player," head coach Todd McLellan said of Celebrini. "But he is starting to show some tendencies that other teams are looking at."
"He's definitely driving that team and creating lots of confidence, and as he elevates his play, others around him elevate their play, and they're a tough team to play against," McLellan continued. "We'll obviously have to be aware of him when he's on the ice and help the players with any type of pre-scout analysis we can give them."
"He's definitely driving that team and creating lots of confidence, and as he elevates his play, others around him elevate their play, and they're a tough team to play against," McLellan continued. "We'll obviously have to be aware of him when he's on the ice and help the players with any type of pre-scout analysis we can give them."
The Red Wings will have to put their heads together to help stop someone who's nipping at the heels of Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid as the next generational talent in the NHL.
See our Red Wings vs San Jose Sharks game day preview on what to expect tomorrow.
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