Macklin Celebrini drops truth bomb after taking team-friendly deal with Sharks

A few weeks ago, the San Jose Sharks extended Maclin Celebrini, giving him a contract worth $94 million and $18.5 million AAV, starting in 2027. Now, Celebrini has dropped a truth bomb about taking the team-friendly deal, according to Max Miller of NHL.com.

“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. 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 told Miller.

Some believe Celebrini could have asked for more money. Instead, he took just less than $1 million more than Leo Carlsson, who just signed an extension with the Anaheim Ducks. Starting in 2027, Celebrini will presumably be the highest-paid player until the next big signing.

Celebrini will lead the Sharks for five more seasons, and possibly more, as the team attempts to end a playoff drought. Although they were close last season, the Sharks just missed out on the postseason. This contract will give the Sharks some flexibility to sign more free agents. Before extending Celebrini, the Sharks signed Jacob Trouba to bolster the defense. Additionally, they added Darnell Nurse.

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