Pro Comparisons for Top NHL Prospects at the 2024 Frozen Four | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The easiest way to describe Macklin Celebrini is to take a look down the list of past no-doubt No. 1 picks in the NHL draft and select the one he's most like. After all, he will be the No. 1 pick in June and his abilities are off the charts.

Consider he's 17 years old and tied for second in the country in scoring. He's having the best freshman season in college hockey since Jack Eichel in 2015 and Paul Kariya in 1993. That is esteemed company in college hockey and the hype he's been getting is very real.

But is he like Connor Bedard? Sort of. Their size is similar, but their skills are different.

Is he like Connor McDavid? No, because no one is.

Sidney Crosby? Well, kind of. Like Crosby, Celebrini is an avowed perfectionist and will do whatever he can to round out any of his weaknesses.

But Celebrini's abilities, size, speed, shot and passing ability remind us of Toronto's Mitch Marner. Watching him in open space causes opposing teams to freeze. He can beat them with his shot, moves or a pass to an open teammate.

While Marner gets lost in the spotlight on Auston Matthews, just think of what it'll be like if Chicago wins the lottery again and lands Celebrini to play with Bedard.