San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million contract extension in July 2026, positioning himself as one of the highest-paid players in the NHL while securing a deal designed to preserve long-term roster flexibility for the franchise. According to general manager Mike Grier and reporting from NHL.com and the Bay Area News Group, the agreement carries a league-high average annual value (AAV) of $18.8 million when it takes effect in the 2027-28 season.
### Contract Structure and Cap Strategy
Celebrini’s new pact accounts for 16.6% of the projected $113.5 million salary cap for the 2027-28 campaign. During negotiations with his agent, Pat Brisson, the 20-year-old center deliberately left money on the table rather than pushing for the maximum allowable 20% share—an AAV of $20.8 million based on the current economic landscape.
“I wanted to make sure that with where the cap was going, that the number made sense for the team first and foremost, making sure that everyone can get paid, and that we’re in a good spot to build the way we want to build,” Celebrini stated in his first public comments following the signing, as reported by the Bay Area News Group.
With the salary cap expected to climb past $123 million in 2028-29 and rise further in subsequent seasons, Celebrini’s cap hit will decrease proportionally as a percentage of San Jose’s overall spending power. PuckPedia data indicates the Sharks will enter the 2027-28 season with more than $30 million in available space, though portions of those funds are earmarked for upcoming negotiations with core roster pieces.
### Roster Outlook and Core Players
The financial flexibility created by Celebrini’s team-friendly terms directly impacts the team’s ability to lock down other foundational talents. Forward Will Smith and goaltender Yaroslav Askarov are both positioned to become restricted free agents next summer. Smith finished as the Sharks’ second-leading scorer during the 2025-26 season with 59 points across 69 games, skating alongside Celebrini on the top line.
According to the Bay Area News Group, comparable contracts for elite young centers—such as Leo Carlsson with the Anaheim Ducks ($18 million AAV) and Connor Bedard with the Chicago Blackhawks ($15 million AAV)—signal a rising market for elite playmakers entering their prime years.
### Building on a Record-Breaking Season
The extension rewards a stellar 2025-26 campaign in which Celebrini finished fourth in NHL scoring with 115 points. In doing so, he surpassed Joe Thornton’s 2006-07 single-season franchise record of 114 points. Celebrini factored into 46.2% of San Jose’s total offensive output last year, driving the team to 86 points and narrowly missing a postseason berth after consecutive last-place finishes.
Despite the historic numbers and the massive financial commitment, Celebrini expressed confidence that the long-term deal will not alter his preparation.
“I don’t think anything really externally will affect the way I play or who I am,” Celebrini said. “I just don’t see anything like that changing the way I play the game or the approach that I take.”
The Sharks open their training preparations at Tech CU Arena ahead of the 2026-27 schedule, carrying renewed expectations under Grier’s aggressive roster architecture.