Macklin Celebrini is set to sign a contract extension with the San Jose Sharks, potentially breaking records with a $10-17 million per season deal.

The 19-year-old phenom has broken the franchise's single-season points record and reached milestones achieved by all-time greats like Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby.

What happened?

Macklin Celebrini received the second-most votes in a poll of NHL agents conducted by The Athletic for the highest-paid player in hockey by the start of the 2028-29 season.

An NHL agent suggested that Celebrini's eventual extension will land in the $10 to $17 million per season range, depending on the length of the deal.

Why it matters for Macklin Celebrini

Celebrini's contract extension will have a significant impact on the San Jose Sharks' salary cap and potentially reshape the way teams negotiate with their high-end players.

As Celebrini is eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1, the Sharks will likely try to secure a long-term deal before he becomes a restricted free agent in 2027.

What comes next?

Sharks general manager Mike Grier has been relatively mum on a potential long-term deal, but Celebrini's performance has made it clear that he will require a significant contract.

With a current cap hit of $975,000 and a base salary of $877,500, Celebrini's next deal is expected to be substantially higher, potentially exceeding $17 million per season.

The Athletic's poll also asked agents about the future contracts for fellow No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard, but the consensus was that Celebrini is in a "much different tier" than Bedard.

One agent stated that Celebrini's performance warrants a $20 million per year contract, citing his impressive stats and milestones achieved during the 2023-24 season.

As the negotiations for Celebrini's contract extension begin, the San Jose Sharks will need to balance their salary cap with the need to retain their young star.

Celebrini's agent will likely push for a deal that reflects his client's value to the team, potentially leading to a record-breaking contract.

The San Jose Sharks' front office will need to make a decision on Celebrini's contract extension soon, as the July 1 deadline approaches.