The Athletic Hockey Show Is Macklin Celebrini a Hart Trophy favorite?
Jan 8, 2026
Peter Baugh, a New York area hockey reporter for The Athletic, joins the discussion about Macklin Celebrini’s potential Hart Trophy candidacy after his stellar performances. They delve into the impact of injuries to key Rangers players, Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox, and whether it might be time to regroup for next season. The conversation also touches on trade-deadline strategies and the implications of injuries on the Rangers' playoff chances, alongside a preview of Canada's women's Olympic roster.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Celebrini's Rapid Rise To Superstar
- Macklin Celebrini has transformed into an elite, season-two superstar with a 12-game point streak and a 127-point pace projection.
- Hailey Salvian and Sean Gentille argue he's a legitimate Hart Trophy contender because he’s clearly the Sharks' driving force.
Two-Man MVP Race Narrowed By Celebrini
- Sean Gentille ranks Celebrini second on his Hart ballot, narrowly behind Nathan MacKinnon, citing generational-year-two performance patterns.
- He compares on-ice impact metrics and finds Celebrini and MacKinnon nearly neck-and-neck in team goal improvements.
Narratives Often Decide Close Awards
- Voter narratives and human storytelling can tilt Hart Trophy outcomes when candidates are close on metrics.
- Sean says if McKinnon and Celebrini finish similarly, Celebrini's storyline may sway votes due to freshness and novelty.