Multiple scouts compared projected No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini to Pittsburgh Penguins veteran Sidney Crosby ahead of the 2024 NHL Draft, according to The Athletic's Corey Pronman.

"I came into the season thinking at worst he could be Nico Hischier," one scout said, per Pronman. "He's much better than Hischier though. I'm not saying he's Crosby, but he could be Sidney Crosby-lite."

Another scout said Celebrini will be a high-caliber top pick in the range of Rocket Richard winner Auston Matthews and Calder finalist Connor Bedard, rather than Devils center Jack Hughes or Buffalo Sabres' defenseman Rasmus Dahlin.

"There were things he did this season that often reminded me of Crosby," the scout said, per Pronman. "He's super competitive and intelligent."

One NHL executive similarly classed Celebrini above Hughes, per Pronman.

"Jack Hughes will have seasons with more points, but Celebrini is the type of player I would rather build my team around to win," the executive told Pronman.

Celebrini began earning draft buzz with his 2022-23 USHL Forward of the Year campaign for the Chicago Steel, when he led the league with 46 goals and 86 points in 50 games.

He cemented his position as the projected top NHL pick with a Hobey Baker-wining college debut season, during which he recorded 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 38 games for Boston University.

His production has highlighted his powerful shot, but what most made Celebrini stand out in the USHL and NCAA was his defensive zone decision-making as well as his energy on forechecks and backchecks.

Those efforts have helped him earn comparisons to Crosby, who just finished his record-tying 19th point-per-game season. The San Jose Sharks will now hope they begin their rebuild around a similarly impactful two-way player if they choose Celebrini as expected on June 28.