Celebrini happy to have new 5-year contract help Sharks improve roster

SAN JOSE -- Macklin Celebrini is committed to the San Jose Sharks for the long haul.

That was evident when the 20-year-old center signed his record-breaking five-year, $94 million contract on July 29. Yet, despite the contract's average annual value being the highest in NHL history ($18.8 million), it was the money he left on the table that showed his true long-term commitment to the Sharks.

With his new contract, which will begin with the 2027-28 season, Celebrini signed for less than the maximum salary. That is something he said was important for the Sharks to continue improving the roster.

"That was at the front of my mind throughout the whole negotiation,” Celebrini said Thursday. “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. Keeping a little bit more flexibility for everyone, and I mean it's not really a bad thing. I'm committed to this team and this organization."

Celebrini finished fourth in the NHL last season, his second in the League, with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) in 80 games, tying for fourth in goals and ranking seventh in assists. This came after he had 63 points (25 goals, 38 assists) in 70 games as a rookie. Celebrini was a big reason San Jose made a 34-point improvement in the standings, going 39-35-8 (86 points) to finish fifth in the Pacific Division and four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

After that type of season, talk has persisted about Celebrini possibly becoming the next captain of the Sharks, who have not had one since Logan Couture, who last played in 2023-24 and announced his retirement April 15, 2025. Celebrini was an alternate captain for San Jose last season and was captain of Team Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

"I still have a lot of space to grow. I think in my game and off the ice," Celebrini said. "Growing into myself as hopefully a leader for this team. We have a great group of vets that have been amazing and helped guide all of us young guys and gave us the best kind of role models as possible." 

When asked about what it would mean to be named captain of the Sharks, Celebrini said he'd be comfortable in that role.

"I think that is a decision for (general manager) Mike Grier," Celebrini said. "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."

The Sharks have had a busy offseason, particularly when it comes to upgrading the defense. The additions of defensemen Darnell Nurse, acquired via trade from the Edmonton Oilers on July 1, and Jacob Trouba, who signed a four-year $33 million contract ($8.25 million AAV) on July 1, are two of the moves that Celebrini thinks will help push the team forward.

"They're great,” he said of the veteran defensemen. “I think, obviously, their physical presence. They're both big bodies, and they'll really help us defensively. But I think they're both great skaters too. They'll be able to work the puck up the ice and kind of advance it, which would be helpful. But I think just defending for the most part. Just the way that they're able to defend. The physical presence that they bring. I feel like it'll bring some toughness to our back end." 

The Sharks also selected Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Celebrini played against him at the 2026 Worlds.

"He's a heck of a player," Celebrini said. "It was really fun to watch him over there and play against him. Like, it was just fun. It was fun to compete against him, and I know we're all really excited to play with him." 

Celebrini and other Sharks players have started arriving in the Bay Area to prepare for training camp. Celebrini said he expects many more teammates to arrive soon -- perhaps sooner than later, with San Jose hoping to get off to a good start and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19. 

The Sharks will open their preseason schedule at the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 20 and play their regular-season opener against the Florida Panthers on Oct. 1.

"We're all really excited,” Celebrini said. “It's a long offseason when you don't make the playoffs, so I think we're all really excited to get going here. I know a lot of guys are coming in early, which is awesome to skate together and get ready. I think that'll help us a lot."