In all likelihood, Macklin Celebrini will be the first name called in the 2024 NHL Draft. The San Jose Sharks will have their franchise center to go along with Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.).
Then comes a bigger question: Will Celebrini stay at Boston University or go right to the NHL?
It would be obvious in most cases. Celebrini posted 32 goals and 64 points in 38 games this winter en route to winning the Hobey Baker. That kind of production, dominance and success would usually lead to a player moving directly to the NHL.
But Celebrini did all that as a 17-year-old freshman. He's still 17, too, turning 18 on Thursday.
BU bench boss Jay Pandolfo (Burlington, Mass.) joined the latest RinkWise podcast and discussed what he thinks about the situation.
"I don't think he can make the wrong decision," Pandolfo said. "I do think he's ready and capable to play at the NHL level. But in saying that, he's turning 18 this week. If he came back, he would still play his whole freshman year as an 18-year-old and probably still play his first NHL game as an 18-year-old because I'm sure he would go at the end of the season. I don't think it would hurt him to come back, but I also can't sit there and look him in the eye and tell him that I don't think the can play at the NHL level because I know he can.
"He has to make the decision that's best for him his career path and I'll support either way."
WATCH: Jay Pandolfo on BU, Macklin Celebrini and recruiting
Pandolfo is also no stranger to Sharks general manager Mike Grier. The two played together at BU from 1993-96.
"I know they would like to take the next step if they do end up drafting him, which I'm sure they're going to," Pandolfo said. "I think they would like to see him play for San Jose next year."
Another reason why Celebrini's decision will be so interesting is because of his father, Rick. He's the director of sports medicine and performance for the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He understands patience and athletic development. In an interview with The Athletic, Rick mentioned Celebrini returning to BU for a second season hadn't been ruled out.
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"[Rick] understands that the NBA and NHL aren't developmental leagues," Pandolfo said. "You have to go in there and be ready. I think they're weighing all those things. I think Macklin and Rick know he's capable of playing at that level, but is the time right now? I think that's all things they're trying to weigh. What's it going to look like next year in San Jose?"
The Terriers went to the Frozen Four this past season, falling in the semifinals to Denver. That could be unfinished business for Celebrini. His brother, Aiden, is still on the team. Cole Eiserman (Newburyport, Mass.), one of his best friends from their Shattuck-St. Mary's days, will be a freshman this fall.
But there's the other side of it, too — he's ready for the NHL. All of this makes for a hard decision.
"If he comes back, I think there's a lot of benefits," Pandolfo said. "If he leaves, hey, he's ready to take that next challenge and go from there."
The RinkWise podcast can be streamed here and on major platforms, such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
