07/29/26 10:36:00
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07/29 10:35 CDT Macklin Celebrini gets 5-year, $94M extension from the Sharks
in the NHL's richest deal ever
Macklin Celebrini gets 5-year, $94M extension from the Sharks in the NHL's
richest deal ever
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Sports Writer
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) --- San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini signed a
five-year, $94 million extension Wednesday that will make him the highest-paid
player in the NHL.
Celebrini had one year remaining on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level
contract before signing the deal that keeps him locked up with the Sharks
through the 2031-32 season.
The $18.8 million average annual value of the deal that Celebrini reached with
general manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner is the richest in NHL
history, topping the $18 million a year Leo Carlsson got when Anaheim matched a
five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia.
"I couldn't be happier to sign an extension today," Celebrini said in a
statement. "The faith and support?that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire
staff have shown me?throughout?the past two seasons is proof that we are
building something special here.?My teammates and I are ready to take another
step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its
incredible fans.?I can't wait to get going."
Celebrini, who turned 20 in June, has established himself as one of the game's
top young stars since being picked first overall by San Jose in 2024. His 178
points are the fifth most for a teenager and his 70 career goals are seventh
best for a player before turning 20.
Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists last season, with his 115 points breaking
Joe Thornton's franchise record of 114 set in 2006-07 and trailing Wayne
Gretzky (137 in 1979-80) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07) for the most in a
season for a player before turning 20.
He had the 10th most points ever for a player who missed the playoffs,
recording a point on 46.2% of San Jose goals for the second-best rate in the
league behind Connor McDavid (48/9%) and the best ever for a teenager.
He also was the leading goal scorer in the Olympics, with five goals to help
Canada win the silver medal.
"In just two seasons as a teenager in the National Hockey League and on the
international stage, Macklin has established himself as one of the premier
players in the world," Grier said. "We are extremely excited to have him
secured and committed as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San
Jose."
Despite Celebrini's exploits, the Sharks still missed the playoffs for the
seventh straight season. They improved by 34 points for the 10th best
single-season jump in the last 30 years but landed four points out of the
playoffs.
Celebrini is part of a strong young core in San Jose alongside fellow promising
players like Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov and Sam Dickinson. The
Sharks added even more young talent this offseason with three first-round picks
headlined by Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 overall. They also
added North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and WHL Vancouver
play-making defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21.
Grier also brought in veteran reinforcements at the start of the offseason,
trading for defenseman Darnell Nurse and signing defenseman Jacob Trouba and
forward Mason Marchment.
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