Story Summary
Macklin Celebrini has committed to the San Jose Sharks for the long term after signing a record-breaking five-year, $94 million contract on July 29. The deal carries an average annual value of $18.8 million – the highest AAV in NHL history – but Celebrini said he signed for less than the maximum permissible salary to leave the club flexibility to improve its roster. Celebrini, 20, is coming off a 115-point season (45 goals, 70 assists) in 80 games and remains an alternate captain for the club. He praised San Jose’s recent defensive additions – Darnell Nurse, acquired in a trade from Edmonton, and Jacob Trouba, signed for four years and $33 million ($8.25 million AAV) – and welcomed the selection of Ivar Stenberg at No. 2 in the 2026 NHL Draft. The Sharks open pre-season in Anaheim on Sept. 20 and begin the regular season against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 1.
Key Facts
- Macklin Celebrini signed a five-year contract worth $94 million on July 29, 2026.
- Celebrini’s contract will begin with the 2027-28 season.
- Celebrini signed for less than the maximum permissible salary, saying he wanted to leave salary-cap flexibility for the Sharks.
- Celebrini scored 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 80 games in the 2025-26 season, finishing fourth in NHL scoring.
- In his rookie season Celebrini had 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games.
- San Jose improved by 34 points year-over-year to finish 39-35-8 (86 points), fifth in the Pacific Division and four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second Western Conference wild card.
- Logan Couture last played in 2023-24 and announced his retirement on April 15, 2025; the Sharks have not had a captain since.
- Celebrini was an alternate captain for the Sharks last season and served as captain of Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship.
- Defenceman Darnell Nurse was acquired by the Sharks via trade from the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, 2026.
- Jacob Trouba signed with the Sharks on July 1, 2026, on a four-year, $33 million contract with an $8.25 million AAV.
- San Jose selected Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft; Celebrini faced him at the 2026 Worlds and spoke positively about him.
IHM Discussion
Celebrini’s new contract is both a landmark deal and a reflection of his stated commitment to the Sharks’ wider build. Its $18.8 million AAV is the highest in NHL history, yet Celebrini said accepting less than the maximum permissible salary was important in leaving the club flexibility to keep improving the roster.
The deal begins in 2027-28 and keeps the 20-year-old centre in San Jose through an important stage of the team’s development. Celebrini is coming off a 115-point season and played a major part in the Sharks’ 34-point improvement in the standings. His status as an alternate captain, along with his captaincy for Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship, adds to the leadership discussion around him.
San Jose has also added experience to its blue line. Darnell Nurse arrived in a trade from Edmonton on July 1, while Jacob Trouba signed a four-year, $33 million contract carrying an $8.25 million AAV. Celebrini highlighted their physical presence, defending and skating, believing both can help the Sharks move the puck up the ice more effectively.
The contract, the defensive additions and the arrival of No. 2 pick Ivar Stenberg give San Jose more pieces around which to build after narrowly missing the playoffs last season.
Why It Matters
The deal secures Celebrini, San Jose’s most productive young forward, on a five-year contract as the club looks to build on last season’s improvement. Celebrini said the structure was intended to leave the Sharks with flexibility to continue improving the roster. Alongside the additions of Nurse and Trouba, and the selection of Stenberg, the Sharks are adding established and emerging talent as they pursue their first playoff berth since 2018-19.
IHM Market Outlook
Celebrini’s willingness to sign for less than the maximum permissible salary is the central roster-building point of the deal. Despite the record $18.8 million AAV, he said the negotiation considered the club’s position and the direction of the NHL salary cap, with the aim of retaining flexibility for the roster.
That context sits alongside San Jose’s busy off-season on defence. The Sharks acquired Darnell Nurse and signed Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million contract with an $8.25 million AAV. The moves add veteran experience to a team seeking to build on its 34-point improvement last season.
How much flexibility the new contract ultimately provides will depend on future cap conditions and the rest of San Jose’s roster decisions. Celebrini’s comments, however, make clear that room to continue building was part of his consideration.
Mini Q&A
When did Macklin Celebrini sign his new contract and how long is the deal?
Celebrini signed a five-year contract on July 29, 2026.
What is the contract’s value and AAV?
The deal is worth $94 million with an average annual value of $18.8 million.
When does the contract take effect?
The contract will begin with the 2027-28 season.
Did Celebrini accept the maximum salary available to him?
No. Celebrini signed for less than the maximum to preserve salary-cap flexibility for the Sharks.
How productive was Celebrini last season?
He scored 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 80 games, finishing fourth in NHL scoring for the season.
What defensive moves did the Sharks make in the off-season?
San Jose acquired Darnell Nurse via trade from the Edmonton Oilers on July 1 and signed Jacob Trouba to a four-year, $33 million contract with an $8.25 million AAV on July 1.
Coach Mark Comment
Celebrini’s production gives the Sharks a strong foundation through the middle, while Nurse and Trouba add size and experience to the blue line. The key coaching task will be to turn those individual strengths into cleaner defensive coverage and quicker exits from the defensive zone.
What Comes Next
The Sharks open their pre-season schedule at the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 20, 2026. San Jose’s regular-season opener is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026, against the Florida Panthers. Players, including Celebrini, have begun arriving in the Bay Area ahead of training camp.
IHM Final View
Celebrini’s five-year deal underlines his commitment to San Jose and his desire to leave the club room to keep improving. With experienced defenders added and a promising young core in place, the Sharks enter the new season looking to turn last year’s progress into a playoff push.