- Macklin Celebrini says wearing the C would not change how he leads in San Jose
- The Sharks have gone without a captain since Logan Couture retired in April 2025
- Read below for his full comments and the video from Thursday’s media availability
Macklin Celebrini is not sweating the letter.
San Jose’s 20-year-old star was asked Thursday about the widespread expectation that he gets named captain before opening night. He shrugged at the idea that a patch would change anything about him.
“I’m comfortable with myself and how I lead, and I don’t think it’d really change anything in the way I approach every day and do stuff,” Celebrini said, per Sheng Peng of NBC Sports California.
Watch the full media availability from San Jose:
It was his first time in front of reporters since signing a five-year, $94 million extension. That $18.8 million cap hit kicks in for 2027-28 and would be the richest in league history.
Nobody has worn the C in San Jose since Logan Couture. He took the job when Joe Pavelski left ahead of 2019-20, then announced the end of his playing career in April 2025 after a chronic injury wiped out most of his last two seasons.
Celebrini already wore an A as a 19-year-old last season, and he captained Canada at the World Championship in May. Peng reported earlier this week that the promotion is all but done.
He would be the 11th full-time captain in franchise history. Here is what the C would look like on him:
His resume is not the question. Celebrini played all 82 games last season and put up 115 points on 45 goals and 70 assists, fourth in the NHL in scoring and fourth in Hart Trophy voting.
Reporters also asked him what has to change for the Sharks to get back to the playoffs. His answer had nothing to do with scoring more.
“I think defending, keeping the puck out of our net,” Celebrini said. “I think we created a lot of offense last year, but letting in goals off mistakes and mental errors hurt us. That’s going to be a big thing for us if we want to make the playoffs.”
Last season’s numbers say the same thing. San Jose averaged 3.04 goals for per game, 17th in the league, and gave up 3.54 per game, third-worst in the NHL.
The Sharks open the season Oct. 1 against the Panthers, and the captain announcement is expected before then.
