Macklin Celebrini becomes NHL’s highest-paid player with new Sharks contract

By Noah Lavoie — 30 July 2026 — 4 min read

Macklin Celebrini, a North Vancouver native, has signed a five-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks. The deal, valued at US$18.8-million per season, makes him the NHL‘s highest-paid player. Celebrini’s new contract surpasses the US$18-million average annual value of Leo Carlsson‘s five-year agreement with the Anaheim Ducks, which resulted from an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 20-year-old centre had one year remaining on his initial three-year, US$2.925-million entry-level contract. This new extension secures his tenure with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season.

Celebrini’s impact and achievements

Last season, Celebrini finished fourth in NHL scoring with 115 points, comprising 45 goals and 70 assists. His performance contributed to one of the most significant single-season improvements in the Sharks‘ franchise history. He led San Jose in most offensive categories, being involved in 46.2 per cent of the team’s goals, as the Sharks concluded the season four points shy of a playoff spot.

Celebrini’s 115 points placed him 56 points ahead of the team’s second-highest scorer, Will Smith. This marks the widest gap between the top two scorers on an NHL team since the 1990-91 season. He also became only the second teenager in NHL history, alongside Wayne Gretzky, to achieve at least 40 goals and 70 assists in a single season. Celebrini placed fourth in the voting for the Hart Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player.

In a statement, Celebrini expressed his satisfaction with the extension. He noted the confidence and backing from owner Hasso Plattner, general manager Mike Grier, and the entire staff as evidence of building something significant. He also conveyed his eagerness to contribute to the team’s pursuit of a Stanley Cup for the city and its supporters.

The first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini has accumulated 178 points, with 70 goals and 108 assists, across 152 career games over two NHL seasons. He also represented Canada at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where he was the tournament’s top goal-scorer and earned a silver medal. Following that, he captained the national team at the world championship last spring and received IIHF male player of the year honours.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier commented on Celebrini’s impact, stating that in just two seasons, both in the National Hockey League and on the international stage, he has established himself as a premier player globally. Grier emphasized the organization’s excitement to have Celebrini secured as a central figure among the talented young players in San Jose.

Sharks’ roster development and RFA market implications

The Sharks have built a group of young talent around Celebrini, including Will Smith, Michael Misa (the 2025 second overall pick), and Ivar Stenberg (the 2026 second overall pick). Additionally, San Jose strengthened its roster during the off-season by acquiring defencemen Darnell Nurse and Michael Kesselring through trades. The team also signed defenceman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment in free agency. The Sharks have not reached the playoffs since the 2018-19 season.

Celebrini’s extension impacts the restricted free agent (RFA) market. His deal, along with Carlsson‘s and Connor Bedard‘s US$15-million annual contract, contributes to a surge in RFA pricing. These are all five-year deals that will lead the players to unrestricted free agency. While these players are all centres, and Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers is a winger, the rising RFA prices could influence Michkov’s future extension negotiations.

Michkov is expected to become an RFA on July 1, 2027, though he can negotiate a new deal sooner. His production in his first two seasons has varied. After a season with 26 goals and total points in 80 games, he scored 20 goals and total points in 81 games in the subsequent season. The Flyers may want to see if he can return to his earlier form before offering a substantial contract, while Michkov might be hesitant to sign a deal based on his second-season production.

Another comparable contract is that of Ivan Demidov, who signed an eight-year extension worth US$9.15 million annually with the Montreal Canadiens after a rookie season with 19 goals and points. This deal could serve as a benchmark for Michkov’s future contract, especially if he has a strong third season. The Flyers will likely aim to secure Michkov’s extension before next summer, as waiting could further increase the price.

Michkov is set to be among the top RFAs next summer, alongside Will Smith of the Sharks, Kirill Marchenko of the Blue Jackets, Shane Wright of the Kraken, and Artyom Levshunov of the Blackhawks.

The Sharks‘ recent signing of Celebrini solidifies a key part of their future, while also setting a new benchmark for player contracts in the league.

Source: theglobeandmail.com