Macklin Celebrini’s record-setting extension gives fans an early glimpse at the financial future of the NHL
As the league’s salary cap climbs to unprecedented heights, the 20-year-old’s five-year, $94-million ($18.8 million AAV) extension showcases the San Jose Sharks’ willingness to spend and the evolution of superstar value across the league
Advertisement
Let’s take a look at how this monumental deal will impact the future of the Sharks franchise and the rest of the NHL
What This Means For The NHL
This recent wave of massive contracts for younger players has had the word ‘bargain’ attached to them considering the current landscape of the NHL and its rising salary cap
However, it’s more appropriate to look at this as fair market value for a player with the franchise-altering talent that Celebrini possesses.Â
Advertisement
Under the NHL’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement, no player’s cap hit can exceed 20 percent of the total team salary cap at the time the contract is signed. With a projected salary cap of $113 million for 2027-28, the maximum amount a player could earn would rise from $20.8 million to $22.6 million per season
This deal doesn’t put the Sharks under complete financial constraints, but it also gives Celebrini a hefty payday while projecting to account for over 16 percent of the team’s cap hit when the deal kicks in
Could Connor McDavid Be The First $20 Million NHL Player Instead Of Makar Or Hughes?San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini’s $18.8-million cap hit makes it likely we’ll see a $20-million cap hit soon. Adam Proteau thinks Connor McDavid will be the first to get it instead of two 2027 UFAs
Advertisement
The NHL will have its first $20-million player soon enough, and there was every reason to believe Celebrini could be the one to reach that historic number after his phenomenal teenage seasons
There are a ton of candidates who could reach those heights in the near future, with Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski all due for new contracts in the next two years
What This Means For The Sharks
This historic contract, combined with the team’s moves throughout free agency, is a signal from GM Mike Grier to Sharks fans that the rebuild is ending
Advertisement
This also sets an internal ceiling for the Sharks. Will Smith is next in line for a major raise, and beyond that, Michael Misa, Ivar Stenberg, Keaton Verhoeff, and Sam Dickinson all have the potential to become top earners around the league if their development goes as planned
It’s unlikely that any of them will ever establish themselves as true superstars like Celebrini has. Still, there will be a clear pecking order that Grier will have to navigate moving forward
This deal is a good foundation for that, and will set a precedent for the franchise in the years to come
Advertisement
Macklin Celebrini Will More Than Live Up To His Gargantuan ContractThanks to Leo Carlsson, the sticker shock on Macklin Celebrini’s new $18.8-million cap hit is already muted. But because of the rising salary cap, there’s a real chance Celebrini makes it look like an outright bargain
There’s no question that Celebrini could have demanded the maximum annual value, and nobody would’ve blinked if the Sharks had agreed to it
The formula for building a contender and the financial decisions that come with it is still functionally the same, regardless of the larger figures teams are dealing with
Advertisement
There’s always a concern that the Darnell Nurse and Jacob Trouba contracts may eventually complicate their cap sheet, but things look pretty clean right now
It’s been a pivotal summer for the Sharks, and their window for contention could come sooner than anticipated
See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferredour newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum
