'He's Given A Buzz Back To The Organization': Sharks' Director Of Player Development Gushes Over Macklin Celebrini's Potential

San Jose Sharks Director of Player Development Todd Marchant had nothing but great things to say about Macklin Celebrini following his performance at the Prospect Scrimmage.

Marchant specifically pointed out Celebrini's drive to always be first. He said the No. 1 pick is doing things that aren't taught.

"The first thing that I noticed is that he wants to be first in everything. The first day, after breakfast, they go outside for a little activation warmup, [and] he's leading his group. Right away, he's first in line," Marchant said. "Then you see him on the ice; he's first in the drills. Those things you don't teach. I can't go to a player and say, hey, you should be first in line. They just instinctively have that."

Celebrini's potential, combined with the other top prospects, has excited the entire Sharks organization.

"He's given a buzz back to the San Jose Sharks organization. The last couple of years have been tough, but he's given that [feeling of] there's light at the end of the tunnel, and it is starting to open up," Marchant said. "When you start adding the other players along with it, the Will Smith, Kasper Halttunen, Quentin Musty, and Sam Dickinson, all these guys who are really good hockey players, you start putting that pool together, and it starts to get exciting again."

The Sharks prospect pool has grown exponentially with top draft picks over GM Mike Grier's tenure. Six former first-round picks played in the scrimmage.

"It makes my job a lot easier," Marchant joked. "But these are players that are motivated, they're dedicated, they get it. You tell him once, and they understand. Not to say that a fourth-round or fifth-round pick doesn't, but these guys want to play in the National Hockey League. They understand the work that needs to go into it."

Will Smith and Quentin Musty showed great chemistry on the ice, and each had a primary assist on each other's goals.

The Sharks 2024 NHL Draft grade was an A+, according to the Athletic. Their scouting and drafting have been top-tier as of late, but now comes Marchant's specialty, player development.

"Sometimes you gotta learn by being thrown in the fire, a little bit," Marchant explained what Celebrini can learn if he turns pro. "You're going to have to get beat out of the corner to learn that, hey, I've got to be on the right side so that I don't get caught. That's all part of the process."

The Sharks prospects will have two months to train over the Summer before the official training camp begins. Players like Smith, Haltunnen, and Luca Cagnoni must continue to build their strength off the ice to succeed in training camp.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Macklin Celebrini Discusses His Time At Sharks Development Camp

Sharks Sign Dellandrea, Grundstrom To Two-Year Contracts

BREAKING: Sharks Announce Coaching Staff, Front Office Additions; Ryane Clowe Returns

'People Say I Look Taller': Sharks' Will Smith Continuing To Grow

'I Have Some Stuff In Store': Sharks' Jake Walman Brings His Griddy & Good Vibes To San Jose

Sharks Prospects React To Their First Skate With Macklin Celebrini

• Follow Max on Twitter: @ Real_Max_Miller