The San Jose Sharks announced that they’ve signed Macklin Celebrini to a five-year contract extension price $94 million.
#sjsharks announce Macklin Celebrini contract extension: 5 years x $18.8 million.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 29, 2026
Celebrini’s will turn into the very best paid player within the NHL with an $18.8 million AAV starting next July 1st. He surpasses Leo Carlsson‘s AAV of $18 million. Nonetheless, straight away Carlsson stays the very best paid player within the NHL, but that would change with the contracts that might be signed by two defenseman searching for extensions.
Celebrini 5 yr $18.8M Cap Hit #SJSharks ext:
12 months 1: 950K salary & 19.85M Signing Bonus
12 months 2: 950K & 19.85M SB
12 months 3: 1M & 19.8M SB
12 months 4: 1M & 16.1M SB
12 months 5: 1M & 13.5M SB, No Move ClauseYears 1-3 are for $20.8M in compensation, which is essentially the most annual compensation…
— PuckPedia (@PuckPedia) July 29, 2026
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith will earn big contract extensions
As fas as Celebrini goes, the Sharks were at all times going to get an extension done. This was not going to be a case where San Jose let Celebrini go into restricted free agency with the potential of a proposal sheet. Once Carlsson got the offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers of $18 million, which was matched by the Anaheim Geese, Sharks GM Mike Grier knew the number.
“In only two seasons as a teen within the National Hockey League and on the International stage, Macklin has established himself as considered one of the premier players on the earth,” Grier said in a press release. “We’re extremely excited to have him secured and committed because the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose. ”
In only his second season within the NHL, Celebrini recorded 115 points (45 goals and 70 assists). His 115 points and 45 goals were tied for fourth within the NHL. As well as, his 70 assists were seventh within the NHL. Not to say, Celebrini became just the sixth teenager in NHL history to record 100 points and first since Sidney Crosby.
Macklin Celebrini Extension Eligible, and Connor Bedard Will Get A Big Recent Deal
There was a reason why he was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, given every year to essentially the most outstanding player within the NHL, and the Hart Trophy as MVP of the regular season within the NHL as he factored into 46.2 percent of the Sharks offense. Macklin Celebrini was every thing to the Sharks and more.
Macklin Celebrini, signed 5x$18.8M by SJ, is a young superstar centre with elite skill, motor, hands, shooting, vision, stick-checking, passing, and nearly every thing else. Involved all around the ice and has the potential to be considered one of the highest defensive Cs within the league too. pic.twitter.com/l6WPN5fqv0
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 29, 2026
So GM Mike Grier knew that he was going to provide Celebrini whatever he wanted and more. Nonetheless, at the tip of the seaso the Sharks GM told members of the media there was no rush to get a deal done this offseason. He was comfortable having him go into the season on the ultimate yr of his ELC, but at all times knew a deal would eventually get done.
NHL Rumors: Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Cutter Gauthier
Again the primary overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft was going to be a part of the long-term future in San Jose. Even Celebrini was open to signing a deal this offseason when he spoke to the media at the tip of the season. Now he gets the deal done and may proceed to give attention to convalescing on the ice.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” Celebrini said in an announcement. “The religion and support that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and all the staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we’re constructing something special here. My teammates and I are able to take one other step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can’t wait to get going.”
Like Mike Grier his agent Pat Brisson felt these negotiations went easily and every thing was about Macklin Celebrini’s future in San Jose.
“From our very first conversation, it was clear that Mike and Mr. Plattner were fully committed to Macklin’s future in San Jose,” said Pat Brisson in an announcement, Co-Head of Hockey at CAA Sports, Celebrini’s agency. “Macklin just isn’t only an exceptional player, but additionally an excellent person, and we’re proud to support him as he continues his journey with the Sharks.”
Now the San Jose Sharks have their franchise player locked up for five more seasons because the Auston Matthews trend continues amongst the young players within the NHL.
?Night Cap Recap ?
Macklin Celebrini Becomes Highest Paid Player within the NHL #thefutureisteal #sjsharks pic.twitter.com/P4Cz2gbjiU
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) July 29, 2026
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