After grabbing Macklin Celebrini first overall in the draft, the Blues now have a blue-chip prospect to rally around. But don’t expect the 18-year-old to carry the load right away.

“We’re rebuilding, but it’s not a fire sale,” Mackenzie told reporters earlier today. “We’ve got a franchise guy in Michael Sgarbossa. That’s who we want our young core learning from. We’re going to put our time and resources into developing this group the right way.”

This isn’t throwing darts at the board — this is targeted, intentional work. With multiple first-round picks in hand, St. Louis has the ammunition to plug holes, especially with aging starter Devan Dubnyk between the pipes. That position, more than any other, may become the next major focal point come draft day.

Fans are buzzing about Celebrini — and rightly so — but expectations around the club are being kept in check. Mackenzie made it clear: this is going to take time.

“This is the start of a process I intend to see through,” the GM said. “We’ll listen to offers, of course. But if it doesn’t work for us, we won’t force it. Pretty simple.”

One thing that isn’t simple? Developing young talent at this level. The Blues will need real steps forward from center Kirby Dach, who’s got the size and skill to take over games — now he just needs the consistency. On the blue line, William Wallinder is being counted on to justify the heavy investment made in him this summer.

And keep your eyes on Carter Verhaeghe. Mackenzie believes he’s more than just a complementary piece — he sees a potential franchise winger. He’ll skate on the top line alongside Sgarbossa and Celebrini to start the year. That trio might just be a glimpse of what’s to come in St. Louis.

So here’s the bottom line: It’s the 2032 season, and the Blues are playing the long game. Celebrini’s the future, Dubnyk’s winding down, and Mackenzie’s got his fingerprints all over this rebuild. Patience is the name of the game in St. Louis — and if they get this right, the payoff down the road could be massive.