San Jose Sharks' Macklin Celebrini negotiating choppy waters of first season

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Macklin Celebrini is trying to adapt to a difficult situation, being a top-notch rookie on the NHL’s bottom team.

This might be the worst stretch of the season for the top pick in the 2024 draft, on a long Eastern trip that has been part of an eight-game winless streak before Monday’s game in Toronto. San Jose must endure watching most of the league either in the playoffs or in the hunt.

“No one likes losing and we’re obviously in a tough spot right now,” the 18-year-old centre said after the Sharks morning skate, where he tested out a lower-body injury and expects to play.

“We’re trying to stay positive. There are different goals as a team we are pushing for. We’re building for the future and never accepting the losing or not being there every night.”

The North Vancouver, B.C., native has managed 12 points the past 13 games and is battling Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov and Montreal defenceman Lane Hutson atop the rookie leaderboard. While they’re all within a couple of points, Celebrini has played 10 fewer games than both.

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This will be his first game in the Toronto spotlight, taking on a couple of other first-overall selections in Auston Matthews and John Tavares.

“I think he’s handled everything really well,” coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “Everything thrown at him, from player (matchups) to media, the schedule, the grind and our situation. He’s a mature kid, a competitor, so I don’t think any moment is (too) big for him.”

Veteran linemate Tyler Toffoli, a Stanley Cup winner in Los Angeles, has helped him as friend and linemate while team advisor Joe Thornton keeps him positive, but there are times when Celebrini is stuck for answers.

Warsofsky, in his first NHL head coaching post after assisting the fired David Quinn, is trying to help not only Celebrini get through this season, but also Will Smith and a number of youngsters.

“We have a lot to play for individually and as a group. The last two years, we were embarrassed, it wasn’t good enough. We know what our record is at, but we have to approach it like we’re in playoff mode.

“I’ve found winning in this league is really difficult. It’s usually a play here or there that costs you the game or wins it. Jacques Lemaire said the goaltender is the safety line for the coach, but all those things I had expected; the grind, the (lack of) practice time. You have to be really organized, make sure your meetings are really dialed in.”

Warsofsky said a player such as Celebrini need only look across the ice to Leafs such as Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander, first-round picks with great careers who still are paying their dues to win a title.

“You have to go through some failure, some adversity. I look back at Mack and Will in their situation and think it’s not going to happen overnight. That’s the evolution of being a superstar.”

Defenceman Timothy Liljegren was to make his first appearance back at Scotiabank Arena on Monday since the October trade to the Sharks for blueliner Matt Benning — who has remained with the farm team Marlies — and a couple of draft picks.

“He’s a guy that can move pucks and can help on our power play (getting a goal Saturday in Ottawa),” Warsofsky said. “He’s playing some of his best hockey right now. He had a good start with us, averaged out his game a bit, now he’s trying to find it.

“He’s still a younger guy (turning 26 next month) trying to figure out what his identity is and do it more consistently, which you guys in Toronto have probably seen. Our situation is a lot different than the Leafs. He’s got a chance to really establish himself as a top four guy who can play meaningful minutes.”

lhornby@postmedia.com

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