- Macklin Celebrini says taking less than the max on his $94 million extension was the plan all along
- The 20-year-old called the Sharks captaincy “a decision for Mike Grier”
- Read below for the video of Celebrini’s first availability since signing
Macklin Celebrini signed the richest contract in NHL history and still walked away leaving money behind. That part was on purpose.
San Jose’s 20-year-old center met with local media Thursday for the first time since he inked his five-year, $94 million extension on July 29. The $18.8 million average annual value makes him the highest-paid player in the league once the deal starts in 2027-28. There was room to push the number higher. He passed on it.
Celebrini was asked why the deal landed where it did instead of at the maximum.
“That was at the front of my mind throughout the whole negotiation. 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. 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.”
We had the deal the day San Jose announced it, right down to the AAV that vaulted him past every other player in the league:
Getting there took some unusual steps. Celebrini’s agent Pat Brisson requested a June sit-down with owner Hasso Plattner and general manager Mike Grier to talk through where the franchise was headed before the extension got done, per Sheng Peng of San Jose Hockey Now. Owners do not usually sit in on those meetings.
Captaincy talk is the other thing trailing him into camp. San Jose has not had a captain since Logan Couture, and reports last week had Celebrini all but certain to get the job. He was asked what wearing the C would mean to him.
“I think that is a decision for (general manager) Mike Grier. I’m comfortable with myself and how I lead. I don’t think it would really change anything in the way I approach every day and do stuff.”
Take a look at the full video of his availability:
The flexibility he talked about has a name attached to it already. Will Smith needs a new contract, and Celebrini was asked whether he wants his roommate signed long term:
Celebrini earned the raise. He put up 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 80 games last season, fourth in NHL scoring, after 63 points as a rookie. San Jose jumped 34 points in the standings to 86 and finished four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the last wild card in the West.
The Sharks have not played a playoff game since 2019. Mason Marchment already called a postseason berth the bare minimum for this group, and their 20-year-old star just handed the front office extra room to go get it.
