The San Jose Sharks have secured the face of their franchise for the long term, signing star center Macklin Celebrini to a five-year, $94 million contract extension that will keep the 20-year-old with the club through the 2031-32 NHL season. The agreement, which carries an average annual value of $18.8 million beginning in the 2027-28 season, is the highest annual salary ever awarded in NHL history, underscoring the organization’s commitment to building its future around the former No. Celebrini earned the lucrative extension after a remarkable second NHL season in which he established a Sharks single-season record with 115 points, finishing with 45 goals and 70 assists in all 82 games. He placed fourth in Hart Trophy voting and became just the third teenager, joining Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby, to finish among the league’s top five scorers in a season. Internationally, he also helped Canada capture the silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, leading the tournament with five goals.