Exclusive: San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini talks playoffs, contract extension and Connor Bedard

Macklin Celebrini is already one of the top players in the NHL as he prepares for his third season.

The former No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the billing, nearly doubling his point output from 63 points in Year 1 to 115 points in Year 2. His 45 goals last season ranked fourth in the NHL and his 70 assists ranked seventh in the league.

The 20-year-old phenom recently sat down for a one-on-one interview with Casino Guru News following a World Cup event in Toronto through his partnership with Airbnb. Celebrini talked about the latest on a potential contract extension, his objective of leading the San Jose Sharks to their first playoff appearance since 2019, his favorite players growing up and more.

Q: You're from Vancouver. I'm assuming you were a Canucks fan, right? Who were your favorite players growing up in Vancouver?

"I was a big Canucks fan growing up. I was a huge Sidney Crosby fan. I love Sid. Looked up to him. And then I was also a big Blackhawks fan. When I was really tuning into hockey and watching a lot of hockey when I was younger around those amazing Blackhawks teams, so I think like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews."

Q: It's funny that you bring that up, because Connor Bedard, who is from Vancouver, is playing for Chicago now. Do you have a relationship with him, and what are your thoughts on him succeeding in the NHL?

"I think it's amazing, the impact he's made on Chicago, and he's going to continue to make on Chicago and their fanbase. I think it's super special. We were both from Vancouver, so we've gotten a chance to get to know each other. I moved away when I was 12 or 13, so we didn't grow up together as much, but we played on a few minor hockey league teams together, and now we have a lot of mutual friends, so we hang out a little bit now."

Q: Is there a player that you can think of, that you can compare him to as far as the skill-set? I know he's young.

"Yeah, it's kind of tough. He's so unique. He's got that special mixture of probably one of, if not the best, shot in the NHL, and just his poise and his patience with the puck in his hands. Offensively, it's just really fun to watch him."

Q: Obviously he's an offensively skilled player. Would you say that his best trait is his shot? I know you also brought up the puck handling.

"I think it's clear his shot is his best attribute. He can score on any goalie from anywhere."

Q: Absolutely. Speaking of rising young players, you're coming off a huge season. I think you had 115 points, doubled up on your point total from the rookie season. What was the difference in the second year compared to the first year?

"I think familiarity with my teammates, and just building on that chemistry with them is a big factor for that. I think we have a good group around us, just to succeed as a team. We get a lot better every year, won some more games, which was a lot of fun, and obviously I worked on my game and tried to develop as much as possible. Worked on some of my weaknesses, and tried to get better. But I think just the familiarity part, and that chemistry went a long way."

Q: Were you noticing the game was slowing down?

"Yeah, I think so, a little bit. I think it was kind of like where I felt more comfortable. I felt like there were situations that I felt like I've seen before, and I was used to. Also I think a big thing is you start to know the players you're playing against too. You get familiar with the guys that you compete against every night, and you start to learn their tendencies and what they do well. I think just knowing that helps you succeed."

Q: You're about to enter your third season now and there are a lot of expectations. What are your objectives for the third season?

"I think it's safe to say making the playoffs as a team, that shouldn't be out of the question. We've made the right moves, and we have the right group to make a run, and it's going to be my first playoff push, which I'm really excited for. We had a little bit of it last year, where we finished four points out, but I think just this year we have some important pieces that I'm excited to work with."

Q: You guys brought in Darnell Nurse, who has had a couple Stanley Cup runs with the Oilers. How big is that? And then speaking of the playoffs, you just brought up how close you were. Can you feel it on the horizon?

"Right. I mean, obviously, with Michael Kesselring, Jacob Trouba, and Darnell Nurse. I think Nurse and Trouba bring that experience, and they've been around for a long time. They kind of know how playoff hockey is played, and some of the things you need to do, as well as a bunch of guys we already have on our team, but just adding that element to our back end will help us a lot. And then Kesselring, I know he has a lot to prove, and he's really excited for this year, so I can't wait to see the impact that he makes. I think from top to bottom we're all excited to get the season going and hopefully build on last season."

Q: Obviously you had the statistical accomplishments this past season. Would you say next year it's all about winning? That's the number one objective more than any individual accomplishment?

"Yeah, I think 100% because with winning, everyone's gonna have success personally, everyone's gonna be happy with their next contract. How everything plays out individually, I think is a goal for the team. We're looking forward to winning, and also getting San Jose excited about hockey again, which I think is a big thing."

Q: Absolutely, it sounds like you love San Jose, dude. I know you're focused on the ice stuff, but you're eligible for the contract extension this summer. Would you like to get that done this summer, or whatever happens happens?

"It's kind of whatever happens. I'd like to get it sorted at some point, just to kind of put it behind me, and not be thinking about it next year. Also show my commitment, and put the team in a good spot where we know how everything's going to work out. I think it is important. Obviously it may not get done this summer, but we're definitely going to talk about it."

Q: Yeah, obviously, business is business, and it's not completely in your hands, but it sounds like San Jose is a team that you would love to enjoy growing up with for a long time. You got a lot of young pieces there, like Michael Misa for example.

"Yeah, exactly, like Misa, Sam Dickinson, Ivar Stenberg, Will Smith, who I've been with the last couple years. Obviously the defensemen we drafted this year in Keaton Verhoeff and Ryan Lin. Talking about all of our prospects, we have so much depth in our young guys, so I think we're all excited to build together, but I think it's important that we get those veteran guys as well."

Q: The Sharks had three picks in the top 21 and took those guys you mentioned: Stenberg, Verhoeff and Lin. Have you talked to those guys in depth yet? Any notable conversations?

"No, I talked to each of them quickly, just welcoming them. But nothing crazy. They're busy at development camp right now, getting used to each other, and obviously there's no guarantee of when any of them will come in, so I'm looking forward to when they do."

Q: What is your best advice to those rookies as they start out their NHL careers?

"I think it's important that you feel ready and you believe in yourself, because it can be challenging. I think my rookie year, it was the longest I went without a point in my whole career, and obviously we lost a lot of games my first year, which hopefully they won't have to go through with the team we have. But I think just having that belief and confidence in yourself and not really letting it bother you I think is a big thing."

Q: I want to go back to the Vancouver connection, because I know you grew up there until you were 12 or 13 years old. You brought up Patrick Kane and Sidney Crosby as favorite players of yours. Did you have a favorite Canucks player while growing up?

"I loved watching the Sedins. I loved watching the Sedins, obviously, with that team that was kind of around the Blackhawks as well, where they made that Cup run, and then they were good for all those years. That whole core with Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis and Alex Edler, all those guys, Ryan Kesler and Roberto Luongo. It was just a fun team to watch."

Q: Have you had a chance to meet any of those guys, like the Sedins and whatnot?

"I haven't. I've been able to meet Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa, but the rest of them I haven't, unfortunately."

Q: What was that like meeting those guys?

"It was great. I met Hamhuis a while ago when I was younger, and Bieksa, he works for Sportsnet, so I've talked to him more recently, and I mean it's just really cool."

Q: Who would you compare yourself to? Did you model your game after any certain player?

"Guys that I looked up to, like Sid and Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. I think those three guys I really enjoyed watching growing up, and probably watching them so much I started to try to be like them, so maybe there's a little bit of tendencies there. Overall I think I tried to learn a lot from them, especially playing with them recently."

Q: You played against Sid, right? Has he said anything to you? Have you asked him any questions since that was one of your idols?

"Yeah, we've played together a couple times, actually, with the World Championships and Olympics. They were amazing experiences, just being around him."