Sharks sign Macklin Celebrini to five-year, $94M extension
The San Jose Sharks have locked in their centerpiece for the future. Forward Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year contract extension worth $94 million on Wednesday. This deal carries an average annual value of $18.8 million, which places Celebrini as the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League. The extension takes effect starting with the 2027-28 season and runs through 2031-32.
Celebrini arrived in San Jose as the top overall pick in the 2024 draft and has quickly become the engine of the franchise. During the 2025-26 season, he set a team record with 115 points and tallied 45 goals. His performance throughout the year put him in the conversation for the Ted Lindsay Award, which honors the most outstanding player as voted by peers in the NHL Players Association. His point total stands as the third-highest mark for a teenager in league history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
General manager Mike Grier emphasized the significance of securing Celebrini as the anchor of the roster. The team saw a major jump in performance last season with 19 more wins than the previous campaign. While the club fell short of ending its playoff drought, the addition of veteran talent like Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, and Mason Marchment signals an aggressive push for the Stanley Cup in the near term.
Beyond his club contributions, Celebrini continues to make his mark on the international stage. He led all goal scorers with five goals during the Milan Cortina Olympics, helping Team Canada secure a silver medal. With 178 total points in 152 games, his trajectory remains steep as he joins a youthful core that includes Will Smith, Michael Misa, and recent first-round selection Ivar Stenberg. The organization now shifts its focus toward translating this financial commitment and roster depth into postseason success.