The San Jose Sharks have signed franchise star Macklin Celebrini to a five-year contract extension with a cap hit of $18.8 million per season.
The #SJSharks have signed Macklin Celebrini to a five-year contract extension that carries an AAV of $18.8 million per season.
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) July 29, 2026
“In just two seasons as a teenager in the National Hockey League and on the International stage, Macklin has established himself as one of the premier players in the world,” Sharks GM Mike Grier said in a statement. “We are extremely excited to have him secured and committed as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose.
As we continue our goal of building a team capable of annually competing for the Stanley Cup, we want to thank Macklin and his representatives for a respectful negotiation process, and acknowledge the flexibility they have provided to the team in how we allocate future dollars towards the team being constructed around Macklin.
I also want to thank Hasso Plattner for his continued commitment and steadfast dedication to providing the financial resources to put the best team possible on the ice for our passionate fans, who deserve a winner in San Jose.”
The San Jose Sharks have fully committed to their star center after just two seasons. There is no question about Celebrini’s ability and leadership, especially after last season. Celebrini broke the Sharks’ single-season scoring record with 115 points, at just 19 years old.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” Celebrini said. “The faith and support that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here. My teammates and I are ready to take another step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can’t wait to get going.”
Celebrini’s agent, Pat Brisson, also had a statement about how the negotiations with the San Jose Sharks went.
“From our very first conversation, it was clear that Mike and Mr. Plattner were fully committed to Macklin’s future in San Jose,” Pat Brisson, Co-Head of Hockey at CAA Sports, said. “Macklin is not only an exceptional player, but also an outstanding person, and we’re proud to support him as he continues his journey with the Sharks.”
Celebrini is the future of the NHL and has now signed an extension with the Sharks during the first off-season in which he is eligible. The 26-27 season will be the final season on his entry-level contract, with his $18.8 million AAV beginning in 27-28. As it stands, Celebrini will become the highest-paid player in the NHL by his AAV when it begins.