Macklin Celebrini signed a 5-year, $94-million contract with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL. The deal has an average annual value of $18.8 million, surpassing the previous record held by Leo Carlsson. Celebrini, who turned 20 in June and was drafted first overall by the Sharks in 2024, is considered one of the game's top young stars with 178 points in just two seasons in the league. The contract keeps him locked up with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini has signed a 5-year, $94-million US contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in the NHL with an average annual salary of $18.8 million. This deal surpasses the previous record held by Leo Carlsson, who had a $18 million per year contract after Anaheim matched a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia. Celebrini was previously on a 3-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract and now has a new deal that will keep him with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season. The extension was reached after negotiations between Celebrini's team and general manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner.
Written for “NHL Player Salary Records” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article uses celebratory language to describe Macklin Celebrini's contract extension and his achievements on the ice, but it does so in a neutral and factual manner. The only hint of bias is in the emphasis on Celebrini's 'premier' status as a player, which could be seen as slightly more positive than necessary. However, this language is not overly enthusiastic or emotive, and the overall tone remains objective.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.85 for article 27 · logged 2026-07-30
San Jose Sharks make Macklin Celebrini NHL's highest-paid player with extension
asserted
Celebrini → make → extension
'I couldn't be happier to sign an extension today," star said after signing 5-year, $94-million US contract'
asserted
star → sign → contract
San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year, $94-million US extension Wednesday that will make him the highest-paid player in the NHL.
asserted
him → sign → NHL
Celebrini had one year remaining on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract before signing the deal that keeps him locked up with the Sharks through the 2031-32 season.
asserted
that → have → season
The $18.8 million average annual value of the deal that Celebrini reached with general manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner is the richest in NHL history, topping the $18 million a year Leo Carlsson got when Anaheim matched a five-year offer sheet from Philadelphia.
asserted
Anaheim → reach → Philadelphia
"I couldn't be happier to sign an extension today," Celebrini said in a statement.
asserted
Celebrini → sign → statement
"The faith and support that Mr. Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here.
asserted
we → show → something
My teammates and I are ready to take another step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans.
asserted
teammates → take → city
I can't wait to get going."
asserted
I → wait → ?
Celebrini, who turned 20 in June, has established himself as one of the game's top young stars since being picked first overall by San Jose in 2024.
asserted
who → turn → 2024
His 178 points are the fifth most for a teenager and his 70 career goals are seventh best for a player before turning 20.
asserted
goals → turn → 20
Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists last season, with his 115 points breaking Joe Thornton's franchise record of 114 set in 2006-07 and trailing Wayne Gretzky (137 in 1979-80) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07) for the most in a season for a player before turning 20.
asserted
points → have → 20
He also was the leading goal scorer in the Olympics, with five goals to help Canada win the silver medal.
asserted
Canada → lead → medal
"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," Grier said.
asserted
Grier → establish → world
"We are extremely excited to have him secured and committed as the centerpiece of a core of talented players in San Jose."
asserted
him → have → Jose
Despite Celebrini's exploits, the Sharks still missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season.
asserted
Sharks → miss → season
They improved by 34 points for the 10th best single-season jump in the last 30 years but landed four points out of the playoffs.
asserted
They → improve → playoffs
A young core takes shape
Celebrini is part of a strong young core in San Jose alongside fellow promising players like Michael Misa, Will Smith, Igor Chernyshov and Sam Dickinson.
asserted
Celebrini → take → Misa
The Sharks added even more young talent this offseason with three first-round picks headlined by Swedish left winger Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 overall.
asserted
Sharks → add → .
They also added North Dakota defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at No. 9 and WHL Vancouver play-making defenseman Ryan Lin at No. 21.
asserted
They → add → .
Grier also brought in veteran reinforcements at the start of the offseason, trading for defenseman Darnell Nurse and signing defenseman Jacob Trouba and forward Mason Marchment.
asserted
Grier → bring → Trouba
