Youngster Celebrini Sets New NHL Salary Record!

Macklin Celebrini signed a $94 million contract extension on Wednesday, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL.

Celebrini had one year remaining on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract before reaching the agreement, which ties him to the Sharks for five additional years through the 2031-32 season.

NHL Record-Setting Contract

The deal, which Celebrini negotiated with General Manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner, has an average annual value of $18.8 million, making it the most expensive in NHL history.

It surpasses the $18 million per year Leo Carlsson received when Anaheim matched a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia.

"I couldn't be happier to sign an extension today," Celebrini said in a statement. "The belief and support Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier, and the entire staff have shown me over the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here. My teammates and I are ready to take the next step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can't wait to get started."

Celebrini's Impressive Performances

Celebrini (20) has established himself as one of the game's top young stars since being selected first overall by San Jose in 2024. His 178 points are the fifth-highest output by a teenager, and his 70 career goals are the seventh-best by a player before his 20th birthday.

Last season, Celebrini scored 45 goals and 70 assists, with his 115 points surpassing Joe Thornton's franchise record of 114 points set in 2006-07. He ranked third best for a player before his 20th birthday, behind Wayne Gretzky (137 in the 1979-80 season) and Sidney Crosby (120 in the 2006-07 season).

He had the tenth-highest point total of all time for a player who missed the playoffs. He was involved in 46.2% of San Jose's goals, which was the second-best rate in the league behind Connor McDavid (48.9%) and the best ever for a teenager.

He was also the top goal scorer at the Olympic Games with five goals, helping Canada win the silver medal.

Grier's Trust in Celebrini

"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 world's leading players," Grier said. "We are extremely excited to have secured him as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose."

Future of the Sharks

Despite Celebrini's performances, the Sharks missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive time. The franchise improved by 34 points, marking the tenth-best single-season jump in the last 30 years, but still missed the playoffs by four points.

Celebrini is part of a strong young core in San Jose, alongside other promising players like Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov, and Sam Dickinson.

The Sharks added more young talent this offseason, including three first-round picks, led by Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at second overall. They also secured defenseman Keaton Verhoeff from North Dakota at ninth overall and playmaking defenseman Ryan Lin from WHL Vancouver at 21st overall.

Grier also acquired veteran reinforcements early in the offseason by acquiring defenseman Darnell Nurse and defensemen Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment.