Celebrini Wants to Sign Extension with Sharks, Discusses Captaincy

San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini reflects on his MVP-caliber season and desire to stay with the team long-term.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:07pm

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Macklin Celebrini, the San Jose Sharks' star forward, held a candid exit interview on Saturday, discussing his desire to sign a contract extension with the team this summer, his thoughts on potentially becoming team captain, and his reflections on a season that saw him set franchise records and be named a Hart Trophy finalist.

Why it matters

Celebrini's comments provide insight into the future direction of the Sharks, as the team looks to build on a season that saw them narrowly miss the playoffs. Retaining Celebrini long-term is a key priority, and his willingness to take on a leadership role could be pivotal as the team aims to return to the postseason.

The details

Celebrini, 24, is coming off a career-best season in which he played all 82 games, set franchise records, and was named a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player. In his exit interview, Celebrini expressed a desire to sign a contract extension with the Sharks this offseason, saying he is "open to every possibility" and wants to "commit to this team and be here." He also discussed the possibility of being named team captain, stating that it would "mean a lot" to him if it came from his teammates. Celebrini credited the team's strong chemistry and camaraderie as key factors in his individual success and the Sharks' near-playoff berth.

  • Celebrini held his exit interview on Saturday, April 18, 2026, shortly after the Sharks' season ended.
  • Celebrini received a call about potentially playing for Team Canada at the Men's World Championships, but he is still undecided on whether he will participate.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 24-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks who is coming off an MVP-caliber season, setting franchise records and being named a Hart Trophy finalist.

Sam Dickinson

A key player for the Sharks who will be an important part of the team's future.

Michael Misa

Another young Sharks player who was a big part of the team this season and will continue to be a key contributor going forward.

Collin Graf

A skilled forward who Celebrini praised as a great complement to his own game due to Graf's high hockey IQ and playmaking ability.

Connor Bedard

A friend of Celebrini's who Celebrini discussed the contract extension process with, as Bedard approached his own extension differently.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, obviously it's disappointing. We didn't make the playoffs, and we were right there. We made a lot of big strides as a group, and we played some good hockey.”

— Macklin Celebrini

“I think just the group of guys we have, it's so fun to come to the rink everyday and be with them. The amount of laughs and fun we had and how much we enjoyed each other's company and the season just going out there and playing hockey. And we were winning, so it was a lot of fun.”

— Macklin Celebrini

“I mean, our fans are awesome. You saw it there, they sold out the building a couple times in a row, and then we had great crowds the rest of the year. They're starting to come back, which is what we want. We're going to keep trying to win some games and push this thing in the right direction. Hopefully, they keep coming.”

— Macklin Celebrini

“100%, it gave us taste, and kind of fed that hunger a little bit where we want to get back there and get back into that situation. Hopefully next year, we're in a little bit more of a controlling spot.”

— Macklin Celebrini

“I mean, that would mean a lot to me, especially if it's coming from my teammates. If they're looking at me like that and they believe in me, that means a lot.”

— Macklin Celebrini

What’s next

Celebrini will make a decision in the next couple of days on whether he will represent Canada at the Men's World Championships.

The takeaway

Celebrini's commitment to the Sharks and his desire to take on a greater leadership role, combined with the team's strong chemistry and young core, suggest the franchise is poised for a playoff push next season. Retaining Celebrini long-term will be crucial as the Sharks look to build on their near-miss this year.