Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith can be eyeing big extensions
Each day Faceoff: David Pagnotta, when asked about Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith contract extensions with the San Jose Sharks, the role Leo Carlsson and eventually Cutter Gauthier‘s will play in Celebrini and Smith’s numbers.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Irfaan Gaffar: “I need to discuss Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith with the San Jose Sharks. Since you obviously see Leo Carlsson, you obviously see Connor Bedard. I don’t think any of those deals affect Macklin Celebrini in any respect. I believe Celebrini goes to get his regardless of what he says the number goes to be. The San Jose Sharks are going to be like, ‘Yep. When do you need to do it?’
Will Smith is more of an interesting one for me.”
Pagnotta: “Me too. After which that is the one where I believe their camp is taking a look at this, and searching at how the market’s being played out, going, ‘Okay, where can we slot in all of this?’
NHL Rumors: Detroit Red Wings – Dylan Larkin and Simon Edvinsson
And I believe the one interesting piece of business that’s obviously not yet happened that may, that I consider will affect Smith’s eventual deal, and him and Macklin. I mean, they will go into the season with their contracts. There’s no rush on either side, and, and I haven’t gotten the sense in any respect from either of their camps or from the Sharks that anyone’s rushing into this.
But Cutter Gauthier in Anaheim, I believe his number goes to play a consider what Will Smith finally ends up getting. And, you understand, there was talk of we had talked about this just a few weeks ago the $15 million range after the $18 million Leo Carlsson deal. Then there was the Keith Yandle’s report of Gauthier’s in search of the $18 (million) as well. I’m undecided exactly where that’s. I still think it’s closer to the 15.
But whatever that number goes to be, and whatever that term goes to be, that contract again, I consider, will affect how the Sharks proceed with Will Smith and the way Will Smith and his camp proceed with the Sharks. In order that’s something to maintain tabs on.
The Geese, it’s established order with, with how things are going there, not only with Gauthier, but you understand them attempting to unlock additional cap space to provide them more respiratory room and things of that nature with the entire (Chris) Kreider and (Frank) Vatrano and the whole lot on the trade market.
So there’s no immediate rush there. But I can inform you with certainty that you understand Will Smith is taking a look at Gauthier, going, ‘Your number goes to affect my number. We’ll determine a pleasant number so I can get one to.’
Gaffar: “Well, you understand what we at all times say: 20 goal scorers receives a commission. Center icemen receives a commission. 41 goal scorers are definitely going to receives a commission, and that’s what Cutter Gauthier had last season.
Just taking a look at Will Smith’s numbers in a short time, he had 24 and 35 for 59 points. Eight power play goals. 17 power play points. I mean, obviously, look, he’s not the guy that’s the goal scorer there. He’s, he’s not the primary option there. Cutter Gauthier slowly now becoming the number 1A option or 1B choice to, to Leo Carlson there in, in Anaheim. So it’s going to be fascinating to see.
Why Did the Detroit Red Wings Fail under former GM Steve Yzerman?
Pagnotta: “Sorry, Irf. But that, that’s what I’m referring to. I’m not saying that Gauthier’s number goes to be Smith’s number. I’m saying that if he’s the, if he’s the, the 1A Smith’s the 1A to obviously Celebreni and, and Gauthier is the 1A to Carlson. So the variety of that he’ll get, Gauthier, will affect Smith. Won’t be the identical, however it’ll affect it by way of, you understand, Smith’s in search of ‘X’ and Gauthier signs for ‘Y’. Then Smith’s number suddenly creeps up closer to the ‘Y’ than it could the ‘X’.”
We needed to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from across the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you happen to love our reporting, select NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.