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The NHL officially announced Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid as the finalists for the 2025–26 Hart Memorial Trophy on Thursday. However, much of the reaction has centered on one notable omission: Macklin Celebrini.
The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks star finished fourth in NHL scoring with 115 points and produced one of the greatest teenage seasons in league history. Yet despite carrying San Jose close to the playoff contention, Celebrini failed to crack the top three in MVP voting.
Fans immediately pushed back online.
One fan wrote, “Very tough to choose this season, but I’m going with MacKinnon. You could argue Celebrini should be here as well.”
Another fan called, “No, Celebrini is highway robbery, but ok.”
One fan reacted, saying, “Why is it so hard? Celebrini was probably 4th, and there are 3 finalists. Who are you knocking out? None of these 3. That said, the voters will never give it to Kuch, so they may as well have eliminated him to make everyone happy. Celebrini would still not win.”
“Leaving Celebrini off the ballot is criminal,” a fan mentioned.
“This is living proof this ballot needs to be expanded from 3 to 5 players. Celebrini not being here is egregious,” A fan wrote.
A fan simply wrote, “Celibrini had to be there.”
The frustration is understandable.
MORE: Sharks weighing fit versus talent around Macklin Celebrini core
Celebrini was not simply piling up points on a loaded contender. He drove nearly every aspect of San Jose’s offense, contributing to 46.2 percent of the Sharks’ goals this season, second only to McDavid league-wide. He also broke Joe Thornton’s franchise single-season scoring record before turning 20.
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Hart Trophy has always blurred the line between “best player” and “most valuable player.” That distinction likely worked against Celebrini.
McDavid won his sixth Art Ross Trophy with 138 points. Kucherov finished with 130 while creating a massive scoring gap within Tampa Bay’s lineup. MacKinnon (127 points) scored 53 goals and led the NHL in even-strength production while pushing the Colorado Avalanche to another elite regular season.
Those players produced monster numbers on playoff teams with championship expectations.
MORE: Oilers D-man Evan Bouchard ‘upset’ over Norris Trophy snub
Celebrini’s challenge was perception. San Jose improved dramatically, winning 39 games and missing the postseason by just four points, but the Sharks still finished outside the playoff picture. Historically, Hart voters rarely reward players whose teams miss the playoffs unless the season is completely undeniable.
There is also the reality of competition. This season featured one of the deepest MVP races in recent memory.
Yet the fans have acknowledged the impact Celebrini had on a rebuilding Sharks team that accelerated its timeline faster than almost anyone expected. He is already being judged against McDavid, MacKinnon, and Kucherov at age 19.
Continue reading...
The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks star finished fourth in NHL scoring with 115 points and produced one of the greatest teenage seasons in league history. Yet despite carrying San Jose close to the playoff contention, Celebrini failed to crack the top three in MVP voting.
Fans immediately pushed back online.
One fan wrote, “Very tough to choose this season, but I’m going with MacKinnon. You could argue Celebrini should be here as well.”
Another fan called, “No, Celebrini is highway robbery, but ok.”
One fan reacted, saying, “Why is it so hard? Celebrini was probably 4th, and there are 3 finalists. Who are you knocking out? None of these 3. That said, the voters will never give it to Kuch, so they may as well have eliminated him to make everyone happy. Celebrini would still not win.”
“Leaving Celebrini off the ballot is criminal,” a fan mentioned.
“This is living proof this ballot needs to be expanded from 3 to 5 players. Celebrini not being here is egregious,” A fan wrote.
A fan simply wrote, “Celibrini had to be there.”
The frustration is understandable.
MORE: Sharks weighing fit versus talent around Macklin Celebrini core
Celebrini was not simply piling up points on a loaded contender. He drove nearly every aspect of San Jose’s offense, contributing to 46.2 percent of the Sharks’ goals this season, second only to McDavid league-wide. He also broke Joe Thornton’s franchise single-season scoring record before turning 20.
The reason behind Macklin Celebrini’s Hart Trophy snub
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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
The Hart Trophy has always blurred the line between “best player” and “most valuable player.” That distinction likely worked against Celebrini.
McDavid won his sixth Art Ross Trophy with 138 points. Kucherov finished with 130 while creating a massive scoring gap within Tampa Bay’s lineup. MacKinnon (127 points) scored 53 goals and led the NHL in even-strength production while pushing the Colorado Avalanche to another elite regular season.
Those players produced monster numbers on playoff teams with championship expectations.
MORE: Oilers D-man Evan Bouchard ‘upset’ over Norris Trophy snub
Celebrini’s challenge was perception. San Jose improved dramatically, winning 39 games and missing the postseason by just four points, but the Sharks still finished outside the playoff picture. Historically, Hart voters rarely reward players whose teams miss the playoffs unless the season is completely undeniable.
There is also the reality of competition. This season featured one of the deepest MVP races in recent memory.
Yet the fans have acknowledged the impact Celebrini had on a rebuilding Sharks team that accelerated its timeline faster than almost anyone expected. He is already being judged against McDavid, MacKinnon, and Kucherov at age 19.
Continue reading...
