Macklin Celebrini is set to receive a maximum contract offer from the San Jose Sharks, but only if he agrees to a lower cap hit to free up roster flexibility. The Sharks can start talks now that Celebrini became extension-eligible on July 1, before his restricted free agency next summer.
What the Sharks are proposing
The Sharks are ready to offer Celebrini the NHL’s maximum contract, projected at roughly $22.6 million per year under the 2027-28 cap. But general manager Mike Grier wants Celebrini to sign for less so the team can add pieces around him. “We’ve done our work on the numbers,” Grier said. “It’s just making sure when those extensions kick in that we still maintain some flexibility to improve the group.”
Why this matters for Macklin Celebrini
Celebrini just finished a 2025-26 season with 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points in 82 games. That broke Joe Thornton’s Sharks single-season points record and placed him third all-time for a teenager in NHL history. He also earned a Ted Lindsay Award finalist nod.
His international year was just as strong. Celebrini was named IIHF Male Player of the Year after leading Canada to silver at the 2026 Winter Olympics, pacing the tournament with five goals and 10 points in six games. He captained Canada at the 2026 World Championship, finishing second in scoring with six goals and eight assists in 10 games.
What comes next for Celebrini and the Sharks
Celebrini’s current entry-level deal carries a $975,000 cap hit and expires after 2026-27. The Sharks have until next summer to sign him to an eight-year extension before the CBA cuts the maximum term to seven years. Elliotte Friedman reported the club will frame the conversation around Celebrini’s willingness to leave cap space for the roster.
Grier added that rising cap room and cheaper deals for younger Sharks will let the team maneuver over the next three or four years. The Sharks want to lock Celebrini in long-term while keeping options open to add impact players around him.