Statistics show that Celebrini’s dominance in the puck battle is already evident

Stats show Celebrini’s dominance in puck battle already evident, originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s not just that Sharks rookie Macklin Celebrini is winning puck battles, but also who he’s winning them against.

Celebrini, according to SPORTLOGiQ, led the NHL in puck battles won per game as of November 26.

Celebrini isn’t taking advantage of young players… the 18-year-old is currently the youngest player in the NHL.

The No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft doesn’t intimidate smaller players. At 6 feet and 190 pounds, he is solidly built but not huge by NHL standards.

The recruit of the month of November does not only thrive on the fourth lines; the Sharks did not hesitate to confront him with the best players in the NHL.

Celebrini cited a puck battle against his idol Sidney Crosby as his favorite moment from the Sharks’ Nov. 16 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Notice Celebrini (71) locks sticks with Crosby (87), then the rookie’s right skate beats the 2005 No. 1 overall pick to the puck.

“Of course I remember,” Celebrini laughed, not believing it himself. “It was super cool for me. I was just playing at the time, but then I realized who I got the puck from and I was shocked.

It’s moments like this that remind us that Celebrini is just a kid.

It’s unrelated, but Celebrini was sure to respectfully add about Crosby: “He threw them back at me at faceoff, so I think we’re even.”

Crosby won an impressive 21 of 36 faceoffs in this game, while Celebrini won 5 of 12.

But aside from his superstar talent, Crosby is known for being difficult to get the puck off the ground. Winning a puck battle against the Penguins superstar is no easy feat.

The same goes for 6-foot-3 Marcus Foligno of the Minnesota Wild.

“It’s so hard to get the puck back,” Sharks color commentator Drew Remenda said of Foligno on Nov. 7. “He protects her so well.”

A few seconds later, Celebrini, with an assist from Mikael Granlund (64), recovered the puck from Foligno (17).

The traveling Minnesota Wild media in the SAP Center press box were impressed that Celebrini was standing face to face with the massive Foligno.

A league source attributed Celebrini’s strength and low center of gravity to his puck-fighting prowess.

“A quick stick,” added former AHL head coach Jack Han.

Han spoke at length about Celebrini’s immediate stardom on the latest PDOCast.

Han also added that there was some noise in Celebrini’s puck battle numbers.

“He spends quite a bit of time in the defensive zone,” Han said. “DZ battles are easier to win, the base rate is closer to 60-65 percent. [wins]. 5v3 advantage in the corner or downstairs.

Granlund helping Celebrini is an example.

Either way, Celebrini’s strength, low center of gravity and quick stick already lead directly to the offense.

Celebrini separated Seattle Kraken veteran Brandon Tanev (13) from the puck one-on-one, and Jake Walman (96) cleaned up in the Sharks’ 8-5 win Friday night.

It’s scary to think, but Celebrini will only get stronger, faster, and smarter.

Where could it not be better?

“He’s the most competitive person I’ve ever met,” the league source said of Celebrini.

Celebrini hasn’t given any of his secrets away, but it’s the foundation of what makes him or will make him the best of the best.

“Am I surprised? I don’t know, I didn’t even know [stat]but it’s part of my game,” Celebrini said of his victories in the best league in the world. “It’s just about competing. I prefer to have the puck rather than chasing it. »

“It doesn’t surprise me that he’s the best in the league in that category.” You don’t need statistics to tell you that. Just look at the eye exam.

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