Macklin Celebrini has made it clear: the San Jose Sharks’ on-ice success matters just as much as his next contract. The 20-year-old winger, who turns 21 in June, enters the final season of his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level contract with the Sharks and is now eligible to negotiate a contract extension.
What did Celebrini say about his contract?
Celebrini told ESPN while promoting EA Sports NHL 27 that personal earnings rank second to team performance. “Obviously, guys want to get paid—as they should, because you’ve got to make a living,” he said. “There are guys that deserve those numbers that are getting them, but of course you want to put your team in the best spot possible where you give a team the ability to make moves necessary to win.”
The forward also spoke to DJ Siddiqi of Heavy.com about the timing of his next deal. “It’s kind of whatever happens,” Celebrini said. “I’d like to get it sorted at some point, just to kind of put it behind me, and not be thinking about it next year. Also show my commitment, and put the team in a good spot where we know how everything’s going to work out.”
How close is Celebrini to a new deal?
Celebrini can ink an extension this summer but isn’t rushing the process. He understands talks could stretch beyond 2025. If no deal is reached before the 2026-27 season, he’ll become a restricted free agent next summer.
The Sharks’ core is built around young talent like Celebrini, who posted franchise-record numbers last season. He finished with 45 goals and 115 points in 82 games, shattering the San Jose franchise single-season points mark.
What’s next for Celebrini and the Sharks?
Celebrini is already looking ahead to the playoffs. “I think it’s safe to say making the playoffs as a team shouldn’t be out of the question,” he said. “We’ve made the right moves, and we have the right group to make a run. It’s going to be my first playoff push, which I’m really excited for.”
The Sharks narrowly missed the postseason in 2024-25, finishing one point shy of a wild-card spot. With Celebrini leading the charge, San Jose aims to flip that near-miss into a playoff berth in 2025-26.
How has Celebrini’s career shaped up so far?
At 20, Celebrini already ranks among the NHL’s brightest young stars. He owns 178 points (70 goals, 108 assists) in 152 career games, and was a Ted Lindsay Award finalist last season.
He also placed fourth in Hart Trophy voting and set the Sharks’ single-season points record with 115. Those numbers underscore why San Jose views him as a cornerstone for years to come.