Macklin Celebrini’s Contract Highlights Strategic Planning for San Jose Sharks

Macklin Celebrini, a star player for the San Jose Sharks, is set to become one of the highest-paid players in the NHL in terms of average annual value (AAV). Heading into his third NHL season, Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million contract extension, which will start in the 2027-28 season. This deal provides him with an AAV of $18.8 million.

Mike Grier, the Sharks’ General Manager, likely viewed this as a worthwhile investment. However, Celebrini made a strategic decision by accepting less than the maximum possible salary. According to Sportsnet, an NHL player can earn up to 20% of the team’s salary cap each season. This means Celebrini could have requested $20.8 million annually, which the team would have been inclined to offer. Nevertheless, Celebrini chose a lower figure to ensure the team’s competitive future.

I want to make sure that with where the (NHL salary) cap was going, that the number made sense for the team first and foremost,” Celebrini said. “Making sure that everyone can get paid and that we’re in a good spot to build the way we want to build, I felt like we kind of landed on that number.

This decision to allow for roster flexibility might benefit the Sharks in the future. The extra $2 million annually could be pivotal as the Sharks aim to become a competitive team again. They narrowly missed the playoffs last season, and with promising talents like Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund, and Michael Misa, the team might soon emerge as a desirable spot for free agents.

The Sharks’ preseason begins on September 20 in Anaheim against the Ducks, followed by the regular season opener at home against the Florida Panthers on October 1. The team will be looking to leverage its cap flexibility to improve its roster and return to playoff contention.