It seems almost absurd to even ask. Macklin Celebrini, the sophomore sensation who is currently tied for the NHL scoring lead with Connor McDavid, is playing at a level that screams ‘Olympian.’ Any other nation, and he’d be the first name on the team sheet. But this is Team Canada, and the debate is raging for one simple reason: Is his explosive, game-breaking talent more valuable than the proven, established veterans who know how to win?
From my perspective, this isn’t a question of talent; it’s a question of roster construction.
The case for Celebrini is obvious. You watch him play, and the comparisons to a young Sidney Crosby aren’t just hype—it’s the way he battles, the way he grinds, and the elite skating. He has “young legs that are flying,” and in a best-on-best tournament, pure, raw skill can be the difference-maker. Some, myself included, believe he’s already played himself onto the team at 95% certainty.
The 50/50 Split: The Problem with Role and Roster Construction
However, there’s a strong counter-argument, one that puts his chances at a mere 50/50. This isn’t the World Juniors, where you just take the most skilled guy. This is the Olympics. Where, exactly, does Celebrini fit?
Think about the lineup. Is he good enough to bump a superstar off the first power-play unit? Unlikely. The second unit? Maybe not. Team Canada’s management is looking for players who can fill specific roles. If he’s not on a special teams unit, what is his 5-on-5 role? Is he going to accept playing “massively reduced minutes” in a bottom-six role? Can he transform his game into a checker?
This is where the debate gets fascinating and pits the phenom against the proven veterans.
The Roster Bubble: Celebrini vs. The Vets
When you get down to the final roster spots, the choices become agonizing. Let’s run the hypotheticals that management is currently facing:
- Celebrini or Mark Scheifele? I’d lean Celebrini purely for the skating, but management might take Scheifele for his proven utility and past performance, even if he wasn’t on the Four Nations team.
- Celebrini or Brandon Hagel? Hagel is the definition of ‘predictable’ high-end play. A coach knows exactly what he’s getting. Celebrini has a “great” ceiling, but Hagel is a trusted commodity who put up 30 goals last year.
- Celebrini or Anthony Cirelli? Cirelli is a favorite of the coaching staff, a player who is trusted implicitly in any defensive situation.
- Celebrini or Brad Marchand? Even with Marchand’s age, he’s a proven winner. But based on pure performance right now, I’d take Celebrini’s dynamism.
The problem is, guys like Nick Suzuki are also likely to be on this team, and they weren’t even on the initial Four Nations roster. Celebrini isn’t just competing against the bubble guys; he’s competing against established stars who were snubbed.
My take? The kid is just too good to leave at home. His skill is undeniable. But don’t be shocked if the “safe” choice wins out and Celebrini is left watching from home.
Stay on Top of the Latest NHL Action
Whether Celebrini makes the team or not, the 2025-26 season is shaping up to be one for the ages. To find the latest NHL news and track the NHL point leaders 2025-26, make sure to add nhltraderumor.com to your bookmarks. While you’re there, join our Fantasy Hockey Pool for a chance to win cash prizes! And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below.
The post Why Macklin Celebrini’s Team Canada Olympic Spot Is More Complicated Than You Think appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
