Sharks' Macklin Celebrini Inks Historic $94M Deal, Tops NHL Pay Scale
WHO:
NHL.com - Macklin Celebrini, a 20-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com - Hasso Plattner, owner of the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com - Mike Grier, general manager of the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com - Connor McDavid, player who led the 2026 Winter Olympics in points.
NHL.com - Lane Hutson, winner of the 2025 Calder Trophy.
NHL.com - Will Smith, a 21-year-old forward for the Sharks.
NHL.com - Ivar Stenberg, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
NHL.com - Michael Misa, a 19-year-old center for the Sharks.
WHAT:
NY Post - Celebrini's contract extension is a five-year deal worth $94 million, setting a franchise record for the Sharks.
NHL.com - Celebrini's 115 points during the 2025-26 season included 45 goals and 70 assists, playing all 82 games.
NHL.com - The Sharks had a season-over-season improvement of 19 wins and 34 points compared to the previous season, finishing with 39 wins and 86 points.
NHL.com - Celebrini was fourth in the NHL in points, tied for fourth in goals, and seventh in assists during the 2025-26 season.
NHL.com - Celebrini's two goals and two assists in a game against the Anaheim Ducks made him the fifth Sharks skater to score at least 40 goals in a season since the franchise's inception.
NHL.com - Celebrini's 102nd point passed Erik Karlsson's 101 points for the second-most in a season in Sharks history.
NHL.com - Celebrini helped Team Canada win a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, scoring 10 points, the most by a teenager in an Olympics featuring NHL players.
NHL.com - Celebrini led the Olympics in goals, tying Jarome Iginla's record for the most by a Canadian in a single Olympics with NHL participation.
NHL.com - Celebrini's contract extension has an average annual value of $18.8 million, surpassing Leo Carlsson's $18 million average for the next five seasons.
NHL.com - Celebrini's 115 points during the 2025-26 season set a franchise record for the Sharks.
NHL.com - The Sharks had a season-over-season improvement of 19 wins and 34 points compared to the previous season.
NHL.com - Celebrini was second in the 2026 Winter Olympics in points with 10, behind Connor McDavid's 13, and led the tournament in goals.
NHL.com - Celebrini's two goals and two assists in a game against the Anaheim Ducks made him the fifth Sharks skater to score at least 40 goals in a season since the franchise's inception.
NHL.com - Celebrini's 102nd point passed Erik Karlsson's 101 points for the second-most in a season in Sharks history.
Sportskeeda - Macklin Celebrini has officially surpassed Leo Carlsson to become the National Hockey League's highest-earning player.
NHL.com - Celebrini's contract has an average annual value of $18.8 million, making him the game's highest-paid player.
NHL.com - Celebrini was fourth in the NHL in points, tied for fourth in goals, and seventh in assists during the 2025-26 season.
NHL.com - The Sharks finished the 2025-26 season with 39 wins and 86 points, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, finishing four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card from the Western Conference.
NHL.com - Celebrini's two goals and two assists in a game against the Anaheim Ducks made him the fifth Sharks skater to score at least 40 goals in a season since the franchise joined the NHL for the 1991-92 season.
NHL.com - Celebrini's 102nd point passed Erik Karlsson for the second-most in a season in Sharks history behind Joe Thornton's 114 points in the 2006-07 season.
NHL.com - Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million contract with the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com - The contract has an average annual value of $18.8 million.
NHL.com - Celebrini set a franchise record with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) during the 2025-26 season.
NHL.com - Celebrini has 178 points (70 goals, 108 assists) in 152 NHL games.
NHL.com - Celebrini helped Team Canada win a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, scoring 10 points.
NHL.com - Celebrini's two goals and two assists in a game against the Anaheim Ducks made him the fifth Sharks skater to score at least 40 goals in a season.
NHL.com - The Sharks finished the season with 39 wins and 86 points, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
WHERE:
NHL.com - San Jose, California, home of the San Jose Sharks.
NHL.com - The 2026 Winter Olympics, where Celebrini competed.
WHEN:
NHL.com - Celebrini signed his entry-level contract on July 6, 2024.
NHL.com - The Sharks matched an offer sheet for Leo Carlsson on July 9.
NHL.com - Celebrini was a finalist for the 2025 Calder Trophy.
WHY:
NHL.com - Grier stated that Celebrini has established himself as one of the premier players in the world and expressed excitement about having him secured as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose.
NHL.com - Grier stated that Celebrini has established himself as one of the premier players in the world and expressed excitement about having him secured as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose.
NHL.com - Celebrini expressed happiness about signing the extension, citing the faith and support from the Sharks' management.
NHL.com - Grier stated that Celebrini is the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose.
HOW:
NHL.com - The Sharks added forward Mason Marchment, defenseman Jacob Trouba, and goalie Eric Comrie via free agency, and acquired veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL.com - The Sharks added forward Mason Marchment, defenseman Jacob Trouba, and goalie Eric Comrie via free agency, and acquired veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL.com - The Sharks negotiated a contract extension with Celebrini, allowing for flexibility in future team allocations.
The San Jose Sharks have made a significant move by extending the contract of star player Connor Celebrini for five years at a record $94 million, solidifying his role as a key player for the franchise. Celebrini had an outstanding 2025-26 season, racking up 115 points with 45 goals and 70 assists, while also helping Team Canada secure a silver medal at the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics, where he led in goals and set a record for the most points by a teenager. In addition to Celebrini's achievements, the Sharks have bolstered their roster by adding forward Mason Marchment, defenseman Jacob Trouba, and goalie Eric Comrie through free agency, along with veteran defenseman Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers.