Celebrini Takes Modest Deal, Leaves Millions on Table for Sharks’ Future Flexibility

Macklin Celebrini is positioned to rank among the National Hockey League’s top earners despite entering only his third professional season. The San Jose Sharks forward agreed to a five-year, $94 million extension this summer that begins in the 2027-28 campaign, carrying an average annual value of $18.8 million.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier secured the deal at favorable terms, but Celebrini’s decision becomes more striking when examining what he left unclaimed. League regulations permit teams to pay players up to 20 percent of the salary cap annually, which would have allowed Celebrini to demand $20.8 million yearly—roughly $2 million more per season than his agreement provides.

The young star prioritized the franchise’s competitive window over maximizing his immediate earnings. “I want to make sure that with where the (NHL salary) cap was going, that the number made sense for the team first and foremost,” Celebrini explained. “Making sure that everyone can get paid and that we’re in a good spot to build the way we want to build, I felt like we kind of landed on that number.”

Celebrini emphasized his long-term commitment to San Jose, noting that retaining additional cap space benefits the organization’s roster construction strategy. The Sharks narrowly missed the playoffs last season but possess an emerging core that includes Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and Michael Misa, positioning them as a future free-agent destination.

San Jose begins preseason action September 20 against Anaheim before opening the regular season October 1 at home against Florida.