Full Breakdown
Macklin Celebrini Signs Record-Breaking $94 Million Extension, Becomes NHL’s Highest-Paid Player
7/30/2026, 8:50:06 PM
Core Event: Record Contract Secured
The San Jose Sharks announced a five-year, $94 million extension for forward Macklin Celebrini. The deal carries an $18.8 million average annual value (AAV) and will begin in the 2027-28 season, making Celebrini the NHL’s highest-paid player by annual salary, overtaking Leo Carlsson’s $18 million AAV.
Background & Context
Celebrini was selected first overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. He signed his entry-level contract on July 6, 2024, and entered the final year of that deal before negotiating the extension. In the 2025-26 season he posted a franchise-record 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 82 games, ranking fourth league-wide in scoring and becoming the first teenager since Sidney Crosby to reach 100 points in a season. His performance helped the Sharks improve by 34 points—the tenth-best single-season jump in the last three decades—though the team missed the playoffs by four points. Internationally, Celebrini led Team Canada in goals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning a silver medal and IIHF Male Player of the Year honors.
Data & Statistics
- Contract: 5 years, $94 million total; $18.8 million AAV.
- 2025-26 season: 45 goals, 115 points (fourth in NHL scoring, second-most goals in Sharks history).
- Franchise record: most points in a single season for San Jose.
- Third-most points by a teenager in NHL history (behind Wayne Gretzky’s 137 and Sidney Crosby’s 120).
- Sharks improvement: +19 wins, +34 points from the previous season; still four points shy of a playoff berth.
- Olympic output: 5 goals, 10 points in six games, tying Jarome Iginla for most goals by a Canadian at an NHL-participating Olympics.
Official Statements & Responses
He also thanked owner Hasso Plattner for providing the financial resources needed to pursue a championship roster.
He reiterated the team’s aim to bring a Stanley Cup to San Jose and said he “can’t wait to get going.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” — Macklin 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 premier players in the world,” — Mike Grier, general manager
- “We wanted to make sure Mack felt valued here and he was compensated fairly,” — Mike Grier, general manager
- “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.” — Mike Grier, general manager
- “If you're going to do a long-term extension with someone and pay them a lot of money, you've got to bet on the person first and foremost,” — Mike Grier, general manager
- “The season just ended, and I haven't really thought about anything like that,” — Macklin Celebrini
