Macklin Celebrini Signs $94M Extension to Become NHL's Highest-Paid Player

San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension following a franchise-record 115-point season.

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier announced Wednesday that star forward Macklin Celebrini has signed a five-year contract extension totaling $94 million. The deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $18.8 million, officially making the 20-year-old the highest-paid player in the NHL. This new agreement is set to begin with the 2027-28 season and concludes following the 2031-32 campaign. Celebrini, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, recorded 115 points last season to set a new Sharks franchise record, while his 45 goals marked the second-highest single-season total in team history.

Through 152 career games in San Jose, Celebrini has amassed 178 points, consisting of 70 goals and 108 assists. His 115-point performance during the 2025-26 season ranks as the third-highest scoring output by a teenager in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky’s 137 points in 1979-80 and Sidney Crosby’s 120 points in 2006-07. On the international stage, the forward led all skaters with five goals at the Milan Cortina Olympics, earning a silver medal with Team Canada.

Financial Terms and Roster Flexibility

Negotiations revealed that Celebrini was eligible for a maximum annual salary of approximately $20.8 million. However, the forward opted for a lower figure to provide the Sharks with additional cap space for roster construction. Owner Hasso Plattner was reportedly prepared to pay the full maximum amount before Celebrini expressed a desire for financial flexibility. Grier noted that this decision demonstrated significant maturity and commitment to the organization's long-term success.

Following a 2025-26 campaign where the Sharks improved by 19 wins and 34 points in the standings, the team remains focused on ending a playoff drought that began after the 2018-19 season. Celebrini was recognized for his individual efforts as a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award, an honor voted on by members of the NHL Players Association to recognize the league's most outstanding player.

Building the San Jose Core

The Macklin Celebrini extension secures the centerpiece of a young roster that includes Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov, and Sam Dickinson. During the current offseason, Grier further bolstered the prospect pool by utilizing three first-round draft picks. These selections included Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 overall, North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9, and WHL Vancouver defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21.

In addition to amateur talent, the Sharks acquired veteran reinforcements to support their developing core. The front office completed a trade for defenseman Darnell Nurse and secured free-agent signings for defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment. Grier cited advice from his father, Bobby, and brother, Chris—both former NFL executives—regarding the importance of betting on the character of a player when committing to high-value, long-term extensions.

Pursuit of the Stanley Cup

Celebrini expressed his gratitude toward Hasso Plattner and the Sharks staff for their support over his first two professional seasons. He emphasized that the team is prepared to take the next step toward bringing a Stanley Cup to San Jose. Grier described the forward as one of the premier players in the world, noting his rapid ascent as a teenager both in the NHL and in international competition. The organization views this contract as a foundational move to ensure their top talent remains in place while they continue to build a championship-caliber roster around him.