Macklin Celebrini Open to Extension with San Jose Sharks

Sharks' teenage star is eligible for a contract extension after breaking franchise scoring record in just his second NHL season.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:42pm

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San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini, who has one year remaining on his entry-level contract, said he is open to signing a contract extension this summer after breaking the franchise record for points in a season in just his second year in the NHL. Celebrini, the first overall pick in the 2024 draft, had 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points, trailing only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby for the most in a season by a player under 20.

Why it matters

Celebrini's breakout season has made him a rising star in the NHL, and the Sharks will be eager to lock him up long-term as they look to end their seven-year playoff drought. His potential extension will be a key storyline to watch this offseason as the Sharks try to build around their young superstar.

The details

Celebrini, 19, is eligible to become a restricted free agent after next season but can sign an extension with the Sharks at any time after July 1. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, this will be the last summer that players can sign eight-year extensions with their current teams before the limit is reduced to seven years. Celebrini said he hasn't thought about whether he's interested in a long or short-term deal, and he has talked to fellow 2023 first overall pick Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks about his contract situation.

  • Celebrini broke the Sharks' franchise record of 114 points in a season set by Joe Thornton in 2006-07.
  • Celebrini's 115 points trailed only Wayne Gretzky's 137 in 1979-80 and Sidney Crosby's 120 in 2006-07 for the most in a season by a player under 20.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

A 19-year-old forward for the San Jose Sharks who was the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. In his second NHL season, he broke the Sharks' franchise record for points in a season with 115.

Connor Bedard

The first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, who plays for the Chicago Blackhawks. Celebrini said he has talked to Bedard about his contract situation.

Joe Thornton

A former Sharks player who held the franchise record for points in a season with 114 until Celebrini broke it.

Wayne Gretzky

Considered the greatest hockey player of all time, he holds the NHL record for most points in a season with 137, which Celebrini's 115 points trailed.

Sidney Crosby

A superstar player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, he holds the record for most points in a season by a player under 20 with 120, which Celebrini's 115 points trailed.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just open to every possibility. There's nothing really that goes into it. It goes hand in hand with me. I want to commit to this team and being here. I love it here. I'm open to whatever happens.”

— Macklin Celebrini, Sharks Forward

“Connor and I are pretty good friends. I talked to him a little bit just about his situation. He approached it differently, and every guy's situation is going to be a little bit different.”

— Macklin Celebrini, Sharks Forward

“Those are the guys that I'm looking to learn from and watch them. They've been around for 10-plus years so they're the guys when I was a kid I was watching and even now I'm still trying to learn them and see what makes them successful. That would be pretty cool.”

— Macklin Celebrini, Sharks Forward

What’s next

Celebrini and the Sharks will have until July 1 to negotiate a potential contract extension before the new CBA rules limiting extensions to seven years take effect.

The takeaway

Celebrini's breakout season has established him as one of the NHL's brightest young stars, and the Sharks will be eager to lock him up long-term as they look to end their playoff drought. His contract situation will be a key storyline to watch this offseason as the team tries to build around their 19-year-old phenom.