San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini has signed a five-year contract extension that will make him the NHL’s highest-paid player, the team announced.
The deal, which kicks in during the 2027-28 season, is worth $94 million and will average $18.8 million. That exceeds the $18 million-a-year average in the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet to center Leo Carlsson, which the Anaheim Ducks matched.
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Celebrini, 20, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, broke the Sharks’ single-season record for points with 115 last season in his second year in the league.
He was a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player, voted on by fellow players) and played for Team Canada at the Olympics.
More: Who are highest-paid NHL players for 2026-27 season? See top 50 list
“He would have had the right to ask for the max 20% ($20.8 million average), and we’re very thankful that he was willing to give us some flexibility and take a little less and leave a little money on the table to help us grow our team,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier told reporters.
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Here’s what to know about Macklin Celebrini’s record-setting contract extension with the Sharks:
Macklin Celebrini contract details
Per puckpedia.com, Celebrini’s contract is mostly made up of signing bonuses and will total $20.8 million in pay in the first three seasons.
“I think if anything (the contract) will motivate him to be even better than he already is,” Grier said. “I don’t think it will change him at all. He’s a self-starter. It’s July and we’re already trying to kick him off the ice, that he’s on the ice too much working on his game.”
Macklin Celebrini stats
Celebrini has played two seasons and has totaled 70 goals and 178 points in 152 games. His 115 points last season broke Joe Thornton‘s previous franchise record of 114.
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Asked if the next step is to name Celebrini captain, Grier said he and coach Ryan Warsofsky will talk later this summer about the team’s leadership group. The Sharks didn’t have a captain last season.
Why is Macklin Celebrini the highest-paid player?
First, he’s a stellar player whose performance is expected to keep rising. Second, salaries are going up in general because of the rising salary cap.
The Flyers pushed things higher with their offer sheet to Carlsson, which was purposely high in hopes that the Ducks wouldn’t match. Celebrini is averaging 0.85 points a game, compared with 0.70 to Carlsson.
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“He’s got an unbelievable drive and desire to be the best,” Grier said about Celebrini.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Macklin Celebrini’s contract makes him NHL’s highest-paid player
