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Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson’s reign as the highest-paid player in the NHL didn’t even last until the regular season, and that’s because there’s a new top dog on the paycheck front, and his name is Macklin Celebrini.
The San Jose Sharks’ top pick in the 2024 NHL Draft signed a five-year extension that kicks in 2027-28 and is worth an AAV of $18.8 million per year.
That’s $800,000 more than Carlsson will make this year.
If you had told me that 19- to 21-year-old NHLers would make more money in a season than LeBron James, I’d have insisted that you go seek professional help.
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But this is the reality we’re living in, and players are getting paid.
“I couldn’t be happier to sign an extension today,” Celebrini said, per NHL.com. “The faith and support that Mr. (Sharks owner Hasso) Plattner, Mike Grier and the entire staff have shown me throughout the past two seasons is proof that we are building something special here. My teammates and I are ready to take another step toward the ultimate goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to this city and its incredible fans. I can’t wait to get going.”
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While it’s a lot of coin, this was an incredibly smart move from Sharks GM Mike Grier.
Celebrini is the unquestioned centerpiece of a Sharks team with a lot of good young players like Will Smith and Michael Misa. Celebrini was set to be a restricted free agent next season, and there’s no reason to think that he wouldn’t re-sign in San Jose.
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But Carlsson got his $18 million deal because the Ducks matched an offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sharks moved quickly, and by doing so, they prevented the possibility of an offer sheet. Plus, at the rate that NHL salaries and the salary cap are on the rise, it may only be a couple of years before $18.8 million looks like a team-friendly deal.
Especially if Celebrini follows up his massive sophomore season in which he put up 115 points (45 G, 70A) and earned himself a trip to the Olympics.
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