Macklin Celebrini Chooses Team-Friendly Contract with Sharks

Macklin Celebrini has signed a five-year contract extension worth $94 million with the San Jose Sharks, which will take effect in the 2027-28 season. The 20-year-old center chose not to pursue the maximum salary option, which could have been $20.8 million per season, to allow the team more flexibility in improving their roster.

The contract has an average annual value of $18.8 million, making it the highest in NHL history. Celebrini emphasized the importance of ensuring the Sharks have the resources to build a competitive team, stating that he wanted to keep flexibility for the organization.

In his second NHL season, Celebrini recorded 115 points, including 45 goals and 70 assists, following a rookie season where he scored 63 points. As the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, he also expressed his comfort with his leadership style, leaving captaincy decisions to the team's general manager.