Macklin Celebrini scores NHL’s richest deal

San Jose Sharks centre's five-year extension worth $94 million US puts him ahead of Ducks' Leo Carlsson in earnings

Published Jul 29, 2026  •  2 minute read

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: Macklin Celebrini #71 of the San Jose Sharks celebrates after they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs at SAP Center on April 02, 2026 in San Jose, California. Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images

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It’s Macklin Celebrini’s time to celebrate that as the highest-paid player in the National Hockey League — for now.

As the summer of super contracts rolls on, the San Jose Sharks centre got his big pay day, a five-year extension worth $18.8 million US annually starting next season, announced Wednesday. The $94-million total put him ahead at present of centre Leo Carlsson down the California coast with the Anaheim Ducks, a number the Ducks had to match when Philadelphia signed Carlsson to an offer sheet.

After Carlsson, left winger Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild has an AAV of $17,000,000 on his eight-year, $136,000,000 US deal.

“In just two seasons as a teenager in the NHL and on the International stage, Macklin has established himself as one of the premier players in the world,” Sharks general manager Mike Grier said in a team statement. “We are extremely excited to have him secured and committed as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose.”

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Grier also thanked Macklin’s representatives “for a respectful negotiation process.”

Deal begins in 2027-28

The deal will begin in 2027-28 after the final year of Celebrini’s $975,000 entry level contract. Grier also acknowledged “the flexibility they have provided the team in how we allocate future dollars towards the team being constructed around Macklin.”

Celebrini had a magical 2025-26 season that included everything but a playoff spot for the Sharks. He had 45 goals, 115 points, and a spot on the Canadian Olympic team as its youngest player

The salary cap web site PuckPedia reported Celebrini will make $950,000 in the first two seasons with a $19.85-million signing bonus each year. From the third year to the fifth, he’ll earn a $1-million base salary and signing bonuses of $19.8 million, $16.1 million and $13.5 million.

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The fifth year will include a no-move clause and takes Celebrini through the first season of what would’ve been unlimited free agency in 2031-32.

“I couldn’t be happier to sign,” Celebrini said. “The faith and support that (team owner Hasso Plattner), Mike and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here.”

Teams will keep digging into their pockets to pay top stars with the salary cap rising to $104 million this season and a projected $123 million in ‘28-29.

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