Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini on Calder Trophy Race: ‘I Just Want to Stop Losing’

When the puck is dropped between the San Jose Sharks and Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night, it will be the first showcasing between the league’s two most prolific rookies, Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov. Celebrini, who was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NHL Draft is the consensus favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy this season, which is awarded to the NHL’s best rookie, with Michkov owning the second-best odds. Both are tied for the league lead in goals scored by a rookie. As far as Celebrini is concerned, none of this bears any real estate in his mind while the Sharks live in the cellar of the NHL, ranking in last place of the Pacific Division with 28 points two games away from the season’s halfway checkpoint. When prompted about the race for the Calder, the 18-year-old deflected and focused on how the Sharks needed to start winning, as reported by NBC Sports reporter Sheng Peng. Celebrini, on the Calder Trophy race: “I want to stop losing.” — Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 30, 2024 “I don’t really know. It’s cool for the outside people [who] look at it and compare it, but I just want to stop losing,” Celebrini said. “I just want to keep playing the way I’m playing. That doesn’t really affect anything I do.” SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks warms up before the NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on December 27, 2024 in San Jose,… SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks warms up before the NHL game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on December 27, 2024 in San Jose, California. Celebrini’s comments are a testament to the leadership role he will likely be entrusted with in the long term for San Jose. As a teenager playing with veterans, establishing a voice can be a bit uncomfortable at first, especially while still finding a footing in the NHL. But Celebrini has already made strides with making a presence on the bench and in the locker room. “Anytime you come into a new team, you’re not going to feel comfortable right away saying stuff whenever it may be, practice, games, getting on guys. You’re just not going to do that,” Celebrini said. “Obviously, I’ve kind of got to be myself, but also look to the vets to lead us at some points. That’s not going to really change who I am or how I react to things or what I say. But we also have a bunch of great vets in this locker room that can speak up and lead.” Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky is encouraging this step in his young superstar’s development. “For me, it’s not frowned upon. I think it’s good. It’s good accountability with our whole group. It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it a lot of times. But I think it’s a good thing,” Warsofsky said. “We need that. We need accountability through our room, from our player to player to coaches to coaches to coaches to players and players to coaches, and that’s what we’re trying to build here. Mack is obviously getting more and more comfortable the more he plays, and that’s what also makes him who he is. So yeah, there’s a balance to it, but I think he’s been fine.” More NHL: Sidney Crosby Passes Mario Lemieux to Become Penguins All-Time Assist Leader For more on the NHL, head to Newsweek Sports.