Frankly Speaking: Macklin Celebrini is ready for the NHL ‘tonight,’ says coach Jay Pandolfo

Credit: Apr 11, 2024; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Boston U. forward Macklin Celebrini (71) looks on in the semifinals of the 2024 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament during the first period against the Denver at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NHL Draft Lottery has arrived at long last, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday night, when the bounce of ping pong balls will determine who lands their next franchise center.

Jay Pandolfo would love to have surefire No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini back on campus next season at Boston University, but the Terriers’ coach and longtime NHLer isn’t holding his breath. The two-time Stanley Cup champion, who also spent five years on an NHL bench as an assistant coach, thinks Celebrini is ready to step into the NHL now.

Not in October. He meant in a Stanley Cup playoff game, right now. You know, if he were age eligible to do so.

“There’s no doubt in my mind he could play in the National Hockey League tonight,” Pandolfo said on the latest episode of Frankly Speaking. “Just the way he plays the game. You could put him in a playoff game tonight and I think he’d do well. That’s just my opinion. He doesn’t turn 18 until June. He played his whole freshman year as a 17-year-old. That means he’d play his whole sophomore season as an 18-year-old. That’s very impressive. In saying all of that, I think he’s very capable of playing in the National Hockey League today.”

Pandolfo joined Frank Seravalli recently to talk about Celebrini’s rise as the consensus top pick. You can listen below or wherever you get your podcasts. They discussed the physical nature of his game, how Pandolfo landed a kid from Vancouver in Boston, the impact he’s had on the program, and even a tantalizing player comparison.

3:45 – What is a team getting when they draft Macklin Celebrini?
6:55 – How did a kid from Vancouver end up in Boston?
8:25 – Macklin Celebrini as a person
11:20 – Physical side of the game
12:50 – Macklin Celebrini is NHL ready
13:45 – Who is a Celebrini’s comparable player?
15:30 – How does losing Macklin Celebrini affect the program?
20:05 – Coaching former teammates kids, success of program and NIL money

Music Credit: Willis – Pool House
Audio Credit: MSG & NESN.

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