It’s no secret who the consensus No. 1 prospect in this year’s NHL Draft is but now we know for sure who the San Jose Sharks will be selecting.
Sharks GM Mike Grier accidentally let slip that Macklin Celebrini will be the club’s pick when they take the stage at the Sphere next week.
During a press conference to introduce new head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Grier was asked if the player taken with the No. 1 pick would join the Sharks right away or continue developing somewhere else.
“First we’ll meet with Macklin and his family. If it is Macklin. Did I say Macklin?” Grier said. “We’ll meet with his agents and his family and just try to decide what’s best for him and his development.”
The slip-up should be no surprise as Celebrini checks a lot of boxes for the Sharks, who are in a deep rebuild. Beyond his on-ice credentials — Celebrini became the youngest player ever to win the Hobey Baker Award — he also has ties to the Bay Area, as his father works for the Golden State Warriors.
A local star poised to lead the Sharks to glory? Grier probably can’t wait until draft night.
