Sharks' Macklin Celebrini becomes NHL's highest-paid player with 5-year, $94M extension

Key Points:

• The San Jose Sharks have signed center Macklin Celebrini to a five-year, $94 million extension starting in the 2027-28 season, giving him an $18.8 million average annual value, the highest in NHL history.
• Celebrini's contract surpasses the $18 million per season deal of Leo Carlsson, and includes a no-move clause in the final year, with structured signing bonuses and base salaries over the term.
• At 20 years old and entering his third NHL season, Celebrini recently finished fourth in league scoring with 45 goals and 115 points, and was also the youngest player to compete for Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• Sharks GM Mike Grier praised Celebrini as a premier player and the centerpiece of the team's core, emphasizing the respectful negotiation and the team's goal to build a Stanley Cup contender.
• Celebrini was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting last season, highlighting his status as one of the league's most valuable players.