{"id":569395,"date":"2026-04-07T07:54:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/569395\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T07:54:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T07:54:12","slug":"sharks-macklin-celebrini-has-case-for-nhl-mvp-connor-bedard-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/569395\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini has case for NHL MVP, Connor Bedard says"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN JOSE \u2013 Like most people around the NHL, Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard<\/a> firmly believes that Sharks center Macklin Celebrini deserves to be in the conversation<\/a> for the Hart Memorial Trophy.<\/p>\n

If the Sharks make the playoffs<\/a>, which begin later this month, Celebrini has a pretty powerful case to win the award<\/a>, in Bedard\u2019s estimation, with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov also strong candidates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s kind of a four-man race right now,\u201d Bedard told Bay Area News Group on Monday before the Blackhawks faced the Sharks at SAP Center. \u201cBut if (the Sharks) can get in the playoffs with the expectations of them going into the year, I think he\u2019s got a great shot.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven just being in the conversation for him is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Sharks made significant roster changes<\/a> last summer and were expected to be an improved team this season after they finished in 32nd place in the NHL standings each of the last two years<\/a>. Few, though, could have predicted that by this point of the season, the Sharks would still be playing meaningful games and in the mix for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

The Sharks entered Monday in 10th place in the Western Conference<\/a> with 79 points, two points behind the Nashville Predators and Los Angeles Kings. The Predators held the second wild card spot due to owning the first tiebreaker \u2014 regulation time wins \u2013 with 26 to the Kings\u2019 19.<\/p>\n

Nashville plays in Los Angeles late Monday night, and the Sharks have a game in hand on both teams.<\/p>\n

Celebrini\u2019s season thus far has been the biggest reason why the Sharks still have playoff aspirations.<\/p>\n

Going into Monday, Celebrini was fourth in NHL scoring<\/a> with 106 points. He likely won\u2019t catch McDavid (126 points), Kucherov (125), or MacKinnon (122), but he has still either scored or assisted on 45.9% of the Sharks\u2019 231 goals this season, and 47.2% of their 159 even-strength goals.<\/p>\n

The Sharks also have a record of 2-15-3 when Celebrini does not have a goal or an assist.<\/p>\n

The Hart Trophy, voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association<\/a>, is awarded to the NHL player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team, and Celebrini seems to fit that description.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible,\u201d Bedard said of Celebrini\u2019s season. \u201cObviously, he\u2019s done things that are so rare in this league, and he\u2019s just such an amazing player. I think the whole world gets to see what he\u2019s able to do, and that\u2019s just so good for hockey.<\/p>\n

\u201cSuper happy for him that he\u2019s having the success he\u2019s having, and it\u2019s just fun to see someone so young come in and do what he does. He\u2019s just a special, special player.\u201d<\/p>\n

Macklin And Connor Bedard doing the \u201cBestie Quiz\u201d for NHL. pic.twitter.com\/UcWQvl1vmu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Willmack Updates (@willmackupdates) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Bedard missed 12 games earlier this season with a shoulder injury but still came into Monday with 71 points in 64 games, tying him for 20th in the NHL in points per game (1.11).<\/p>\n

Bedard, before Monday, had six points in six career games against the Sharks, including a goal in Chicago\u2019s 6-3 win over San Jose on Feb. 2 at the United Center. Celebrini had a goal and an assist in that game.<\/p>\n

SHARKS LINEUP CHANGES<\/p>\n

The Sharks, coming off a 6-3 loss to the Predators<\/a>\u00a0on Saturday, made two lineup changes for Monday\u2019s game, as Ty Dellandrea replaced Adam Gaudette on the fourth line and Alex Nedeljkovic replaced Yaroslav Askarov as the starting goalie.<\/p>\n

Coach Ryan Warsofsky said he wanted another penalty-killing forward in the lineup in Dellandrea after the Sharks allowed two power-play goals to the Predators.<\/p>\n

Dellandrea is the Sharks\u2019 top forward in average shorthanded time on ice per game (2:42), can take right-side draws, and is the team\u2019s leader in faceoff percentage, winning 52.3% of his 514 draws in 43 games before Monday.<\/p>\n

Nedeljkovic made 19 saves in the Sharks\u2019 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs last Thursday. In 11 games since the Olympic break before Monday, Nedeljkovic was 5-4-2 with an .883 save percentage.<\/p>\n

Askarov, who missed time last month with a pair of injuries, is 4-3-1 since the break with an .875 save percentage. He\u2019ll either next start at home against the Oilers on Wednesday or in Anaheim against the Ducks on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Warsofsky said the decision on which goalie to start will be more \u201cgame by game right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo there\u2019ll be some decisions we\u2019ll have to make,\u201d Warsofsky said.<\/p>\n

The Sharks finish the regular season by hosting the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday before they go on the road for a three-game road trip with stops in Nashville, Chicago, and Winnipeg.<\/p>\n

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