San Jose Sharks lock up Macklin Celebrini with record $94M extension
The San Jose Sharks signed forward Macklin Celebrini to a five‑year contract extension worth $94 million, giving him an average annual value of $18.8 million. The deal makes Celebrini the highest‑paid player in NHL history. General manager Mike Grier and owner Hasso Plattner announced the contract on July 29 2026, stating the team is “building something special” around the 20‑year‑old.
Celebrini posted 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in the 2025‑26 season, setting a Sharks franchise record and ranking third among teenage scorers behind Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby. He also led Canada in goals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, earning a silver medal and the IIHF Male Player of the Year award.
Despite the record‑breaking contract and a 34‑point improvement, the Sharks missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year, underscoring the ongoing rebuild.
Entities: Canada national hockey team · Hasso Plattner · Macklin Celebrini · Mike Grier · San Jose Sharks
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] General manager Mike Grier announced the contract extension. (e2701a87, e76e0ad4, e035ecb2)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Sharks missed the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season despite a 34‑point improvement. (e2701a87, e76e0ad4, e44ae1f12)
- [● 7 SOURCES] Macklin Celebrini signed a five‑year contract extension worth $94 million. (e2701a87, d476fe7c, 510428d5, b5c939b2, e76e0ad4, e035ecb2, e44ae1f12)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Celebrini led Canada in goals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, helping the team win a silver medal. (e2701a87, b5c939b2, e76e0ad4, e44ae1f12)
- [● 7 SOURCES] The extension has an average annual value of $18.8 million, making Celebrini the highest‑paid NHL player. (e2701a87, d476fe7c, 510428d5, b5c939b2, e76e0ad4, e035ecb2, e44ae1f12)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Celebrini was named IIHF Male Player of the Year for the 2025‑26 season. (e2701a87)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Celebrini's 115 points are the third‑most by a teenager in NHL history, behind Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby. (e2701a87)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Celebrini recorded 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in the 2025‑26 season. (e2701a87, b5c939b2, e76e0ad4, e44ae1f12)