Macklin Celebrini Already Has the Sharks Talking Contract and He Hasn't Even Turned 20

The teenage phenom just broke San Jose's single-season points record in his second year, and now the Sharks are looking at keeping him locked up long-term. Macklin Celebrini is open to signing an extension this summer, and honestly, why wouldn't the franchise want to nail this down right now?

A Historic Season Nobody Expected to End This Way

Celebrini just finished one of the greatest seasons ever for a teenager. We're talking 45 goals, 70 assists, and 115 points. That's not just good. That's Joe Thornton's franchise record (114 points in 2006-07) absolutely demolished. The kid is trailing only Wayne Gretzky (137 points in 1979-80) and Sidney Crosby (120 in 2006-07) for the most points in a single season before turning 20.

The crowd at the Shark Tank was chanting "M-V-P!" so much you'd think San Jose just won the Cup. But here's the brutal part: none of it was enough. The Sharks missed the playoffs for a seventh straight season, finishing four points out of the second wild-card spot. Celebrini put up a monster year and still couldn't drag San Jose to October.

Extension Talk Kicks Off This Summer

Celebrini has one year left on his three-year, $2.925 million entry-level deal he signed after being drafted first overall in 2024. He's eligible to become a restricted free agent next year, but he can sign an extension any time after July 1 this summer.

"I'm open to every possibility," Celebrini said at locker clean out day. "I want to commit to this team and being here. I love it here. I'm open to whatever happens."

Here's the interesting part: this is the last summer players can sign eight-year extensions while staying with their own team. Starting in September, the new collective bargaining agreement limits those deals to seven years. That's leverage for Celebrini and incentive for San Jose to act fast.

Taking Notes From Bedard's Approach

Celebrini said he's been talking to Connor Bedard, the 2023 No. 1 pick from the Chicago Blackhawks, about how to handle the situation. Bedard skipped signing an extension last summer and is eligible to hit restricted free agency this year instead.

"Connor and I are pretty good friends," Celebrini said. "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."

For now, Celebrini says he hasn't even thought about whether he wants a long or short-term deal. "The season just ended. I haven't really thought about anything like that," he said. But make no mistake, the Sharks will be thinking about it constantly this offseason.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.