Macklin Celebrini explains why he didn’t take Sharks to the cleaners with max contract
San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini said he accepted a contract below the maximum permitted value to help preserve the club’s salary-cap flexibility. His decision matters because it could give the rebuilding team more room to retain players and add talent as it aims to become competitive again.
Celebrini’s five-year, $94 million extension begins in 2027-28 and carries an average annual value of $18.8 million. Under the reported 20% salary-cap limit, he could have sought roughly $20.8 million per year; the Sharks narrowly missed the play-offs last season and are building around young players including Will Smith, William Eklund and Michael Misa.
- Celebrini accepted less than the maximum to aid Sharks cap flexibility.
- His extension is worth $94 million over five years.
- San Jose hopes its young core can return it to contention.