Nine years after meeting Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews during the Stanley Cup Final in Chicago, Connor McDavid got to pay it forward Monday in in the series.

McDavid visited with Macklin Celebrini, the in the 2024 NHL draft, and other top prospects after the Edmonton OilersB次元官网网址� morning skate in preparation for against the Florida Panthers.

B次元官网网址淪eem like some great kids,B次元官网网址� McDavid said. B次元官网网址淭hey said they had fun at the combine, which we were surprised at. But yeah, itB次元官网网址檚 an exciting time for them.B次元官网网址�

McDavid and Celebrini met before, at a summer hockey camp last year and at a game in Edmonton. Celebrini, the Vancouver native, was in attendance for the OilersB次元官网网址� Game 7 victory against his hometown Canucks earlier in the playoffs.

Hoping McDavid didnB次元官网网址檛 see him cheering against him that night, Celebrini appreciated another chance to chat with the three-time league MVP, whose position heB次元官网网址檇 love to be in someday.

B次元官网网址淚t was awesome to talk to him, especially on a big gameday,B次元官网网址� said Celebrini, who figures to have his name called by the San Jose Sharks to kick off the draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28. B次元官网网址淗opefully in the future IB次元官网网址檓 playing in the Stanley Cup Final, so I really hope so.B次元官网网址�

Celebrini was joined by Cayden Lindstrom, Artyom Levshunov and Zeev Buium, who are also expected to be taken among the first several picks. As for advice, McDavid B次元官网网址� taken first by the Oilers in the 2015 draft coincidentally held at the PanthersB次元官网网址� arena B次元官网网址� kept it simple.

B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 really matter where youB次元官网网址檙e picked,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hose kids will all be in the top five. But it doesnB次元官网网址檛 really matter where youB次元官网网址檙e drafted. ThatB次元官网网址檚 just the start.

Oilers changes

Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch expected to tinker with his lineup throughout the Cup final. His big change for Game 2 was the bold move of scratching defenseman Cody Ceci, who was on the ice and most culpable for FloridaB次元官网网址檚 two goals scored on Stuart Skinner in the series opener.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not easy,B次元官网网址� Knoblauch said. B次元官网网址淵ou have a player thatB次元官网网址檚 been a big part of our team and has played very well, and weB次元官网网址檝e had those difficult decisions with other players throughout the playoffs. WeB次元官网网址檙e in it for the best for our team, and we feel that this is something thatB次元官网网址檚 going to help our team.B次元官网网址�

Vincent Desharnais took CeciB次元官网网址檚 spot Monday and played well in his nearly 16 minutes of ice time in .

B次元官网网址淰inny has played very well for us this year, whether itB次元官网网址檚 been through the playoffs or regular season,B次元官网网址� Knoblauch said. B次元官网网址淲e have a lot of confidence in him. He can move the puck out, heB次元官网网址檚 a big defender. WeB次元官网网址檝e inserted some new bodies, new life into lineup throughout the playoffs and itB次元官网网址檚 paid off.B次元官网网址�

Corey Perry was also scratched, with Sam Carrick making his series debut.

READ ALSO: Lottery-winning Sharks commit to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Celebrini as NHLB次元官网网址檚 top pick

READ ALSO: Celebrini cemented at the peak as 2 B.C. skaters crack NHL prospect list