Sharks F Macklin Celebrini “is the new face” of the NHL and has been named the team’s captain, leaving some waiting to see “what he does to follow up on last year’s incredible season,” according to McIntyre & Wiebe of the WINNIPEG FREE PRESS. Last year, Celebrini had 115 points and a “jaw-dropping performance at the Winter Olympics which really announced his arrival to the world.” The term “generational player” is “perhaps tossed around a bit too loosely these days, but it certainly fits” for him. Celebrini “has the game and the gravitas to carry the load.” And by the time his career is done, it “wouldn’t be surprising if he’s viewed among the all-time greats” (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 9/25). In San Jose, Curtis Pashelka wrote with Celebrini at the forefront, “not only do the Sharks appear to have a realistic chance of qualifying for the postseason” for the first time since 2019, but Sharks Sports & Entertainment President Jonathan Becher said that most “everything on the business end — ticket sales, merchandising, and even company morale — has been surging.” Becher said that “all of the Sharks’ business metrics last season — merchandise, food and beverage, and season and individual ticket sales — rose 50% year over year from the season before.” He also added that the Sharks were “among the top three NHL teams in season ticket renewal rates and new ticket sales,” although the organization has stopped providing specific numbers. In other words, “interest is booming.” Becher said, “I think we’re quickly becoming the Bay Area’s team” (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 9/26).
