One area where Sharks GM Mike Grier believes Macklin Celebrini stands out is his “desire to play in the Bay"Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images
The Sharks drafted F Macklin Celebrini with the first overall pick in the NHL Draft on Friday, with the hope being that the star prospect is going to bring the franchise "back from the dead,” according to Dieter Kurtenbach of the San Jose MERCURY NEWS. Time “is of the essence” for the Sharks as they have missed the playoffs in the last five seasons after making the postseason in 14 of the 15 years before that. Kurtenbach noted that every year the Sharks “are not relevant,” the “harder it will be to win back those fans not just in the South Bay but the Bay Area overall.” Kurtenbach: “Promise and talent can entice folks, sure, but you need more than potential to keep them engaged and to keep them coming back through the turnstiles at SAP Center.” And an improved product on the ice “wouldn’t hurt in the Sharks’ negotiations with the city of San Jose to extend the lease and renovate SAP Center” (
San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 6/28).
DEEPER CONNECTIONS: YAHOO SPORTS’ Jordan Elliott wrote while San Jose is “far from a traditional hockey market,” the local fan base has “vigorously supported the Sharks in the franchise's 32-year history, developing a deep connection with the players on the ice.” One area where Sharks GM Mike Grier believes Celebrini stands out is his “desire to play in the Bay and connect with fans who yearn to return to the golden years” when the Sharks were a Western Conference powerhouse. Celebrini now faces the “daunting task of not only lifting a franchise but also an entire region,” as the Bay Area “prepares to welcome a young superstar with local ties” (
YAHOO SPORTS, 6/28).
