Story perspectives

Sharks lock Macklin Celebrini at $94 M, NHL’s highest-paid

7/30/2026

Summary

Celebrini Signs Extension

Macklin Celebrini (20) signed a $94 million extension on July 29, 2026 with an $18.8 million AAV, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.
The contract runs through 2031-32 and pushes his unrestricted free agency to 2032-33 at age 26.
Sharks GM Mike Grier said Celebrini has become a premier player and the team’s centerpiece.
Celebrini recorded 45 goals and 115 points in 2025-26, a franchise record and fourth-overall league scoring.

Summary

Brisson Secures Extension

Agent Pat Brisson used Leo Carlsson’s $90 million offer sheet to secure Macklin Celebrini’s five-year, $94 million extension.
The contract mirrors Danny Brière’s five-year, $90 million offer sheet to Carlsson, showing offer sheets reshaping NHL salary talks.
Sharks GM Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner closed the deal amid a cap surge, prompting analysts to view the $18.8 million AAV as “team-friendly” and as a benchmark that may drive RFA offers and payroll inflation.

History

Historical Context

The September 16 2004 lockout, the NHL’s third labor dispute in twelve years, halted the 2004-05 season and led Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA director Bob Goodenow to negotiate a hard $39 million salary cap, approved in July 2005. That cap introduced revenue-sharing and a payroll floor, shaping later deals such as the 2024 offer-sheet strategies and driving today’s payroll-growth concerns for teams like the San Jose Sharks.

1 of 3

Celebrini Signs Extension

Macklin Celebrini (20) signed a $94 million extension on July 29, 2026 with an $18.8 million AAV, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player.
The contract runs through 2031-32 and pushes his unrestricted free agency to 2032-33 at age 26.
Sharks GM Mike Grier said Celebrini has become a premier player and the team’s centerpiece.
Celebrini recorded 45 goals and 115 points in 2025-26, a franchise record and fourth-overall league scoring.

1 / 3