San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini expressed openness to a contract extension this summer following a historic sophomore season. The 19-year-old center broke the franchise record for points with 115, surpassing Joe Thornton’s 114 from 2006-07. He finished with 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games, putting him third all-time for points by a player under 20, behind only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.
Celebrini becomes extension-eligible on July 1, with one year left on his entry-level deal carrying a $975,000 cap hit next season. This marks the final summer for eight-year extensions under the current CBA before a shift to seven-year maximums. “I’m just open to every possibility,” Celebrini said at locker cleanout day. “I want to commit to this team and being here. I love it here.”
Celebrini’s dominant 2025-26 campaign
Celebrini’s season drew MVP chants from Shark Tank crowds and positioned him as a Hart Trophy contender alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, and Nikita Kucherov. He ranked tied for fourth in goals league-wide and seventh in assists. His 115 points highlighted elite playmaking and scoring, with 287 shots on net and a +8 rating.
The Sharks named him 2025-26 Player of the Year for the second straight season, a feat shared by only four others in franchise history. He factored into 46% of San Jose’s goals and led in primary points and even-strength production. Celebrini notched 28 multi-point games, including a 13-game streak with nine goals and 18 assists.
Beyond stats, his impact showed in team record: 35-18-4 when he had a point, and 24-3-1 on multi-point nights. He earned NHL stars of the week and month honors, cementing his status as the Sharks’ offensive engine despite missing playoffs by four points.
Fans and media hailed his growth, from hat tricks to game-winners. Celebrini credited veterans like McDavid for inspiration, watching them since childhood.
His rise to stardom with the Sharks and Canada has been meteoric, blending NHL dominance with international promise.
The extension timeline and rules
Celebrini signed a three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract after the 2024 draft. He can negotiate now but sign post-July 1, becoming a restricted free agent after 2026-27.
The CBA’s timing adds urgency: this off-season allows eight-year deals for same-team players; post-September, it’s seven years max. Agents expect talks to heat up soon, given his leverage.
Sharks GM Mike Grier has acknowledged early discussions indirectly. The team missed playoffs for a seventh year but sees Celebrini as the cornerstone for contention.
Longer terms offer stability but higher AAV; shorter bridges to UFA. Celebrini hasn’t fixated on length yet. “The season just ended. I haven’t really thought about anything like that,” he noted.
This window shapes franchise futures, much like past stars’ pacts.
Projections for the next contract
NHL agents polled by The Athletic peg Celebrini’s extension at $10-20 million AAV, varying by term. Short deals (2-3 years) could hit $10-12 million; mid-term $12-15 million; long-term eight-yearers $17 million-plus.
- One agent floated $20 million AAV, calling it a “monster deal” above Kirill Kaprizov, praising Celebrini’s tier above Connor Bedard.
- Scouts see $17 million over seven years as team-friendly amid rising cap.
- Comparisons to Crosby and McDavid highlight his agent Pat Brisson’s leverage.
Sharks cap space and draft assets factor in, potentially pairing him with top prospects. A deal could reset young star markets.
For details on NHL agents’ takes, estimates underscore his value.
Signals of long-term commitment
Celebrini emphasized loyalty at cleanout. “It goes hand in hand with me. I’m open to whatever happens,” he said, underscoring his affection for San Jose.
He consulted friend Connor Bedard, Chicago’s 2023 No. 1 pick, who skipped extension last summer. “Every guy’s situation is a little bit different,” Celebrini observed.
Alternate captain honors and fan adoration reinforce his roots. His Olympics selection for Canada, where he led with five goals en route to silver, boosts profile. See his Olympic roster nod.
Sharks veterans like Kiefer Sherwood extended recently, signaling belief in the core around Celebrini.
This mindset bodes well for retention talks.
Path forward for Sharks and star
San Jose eyes playoffs in 2026-27, building on Celebrini’s carry. Missing by four points stung, but his leadership sets high bars.
Team improvements hinge on support talent, trades, and cap management post-extension. Celebrini’s stats via ESPN illustrate his centrality.
Young core cohesion, plus his international shine, fuels optimism.
A timely extension locks in the franchise face, accelerating rebuild to contender status. For Sharks fans, Celebrini’s words signal brighter days ahead—what it means for the championship chase is a committed superstar driving the charge.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.