The NHL officially unveiled the three finalists for the 2025–26 Hart Memorial Trophy on Thursday, with Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid earning the nod for MVP honors. But while these three superstars are deservedly in the spotlight, the conversation has quickly shifted to one glaring omission: Macklin Celebrini.

The 19-year-old San Jose Sharks sensation finished fourth in league scoring with 115 points, delivering one of the most dominant teenage seasons in NHL history. Despite carrying a young Sharks team to the brink of playoff contention, Celebrini was left off the finalist list—and fans are not letting it slide.

"Very tough to choose this season, but I’m going with MacKinnon. You could argue Celebrini should be here as well," one fan wrote. Another was more blunt: "No, Celebrini is highway robbery, but ok." The outcry has only grown louder, with comments like "Leaving Celebrini off the ballot is criminal" and "This is living proof this ballot needs to be expanded from 3 to 5 players. Celebrini not being here is egregious."

What makes Celebrini’s snub so striking is the context. He wasn’t just piling up points on a loaded contender—he was the engine driving San Jose’s offense. Celebrini contributed to an astounding 46.2 percent of the Sharks’ goals this season, a mark second only to McDavid league-wide. He also shattered Joe Thornton’s franchise single-season scoring record before turning 20. That kind of production on a team fighting for relevance makes a compelling case for "most valuable."

Of course, the Hart Trophy has always blurred the line between "best player" and "most valuable player." That distinction likely worked against Celebrini. McDavid captured his sixth Art Ross Trophy with 138 points, Kucherov finished with 130 while creating a massive scoring gap within Tampa Bay’s lineup, and MacKinnon scored 53 goals while leading the NHL in even-strength production for another elite Colorado Avalanche season. All three produced monster numbers on powerhouse teams.

Still, for a teenager to even be in the conversation—and to spark such passionate debate—says everything about his impact. Whether or not the voting format changes, Macklin Celebrini has already announced his arrival as a franchise cornerstone.