‘Dominoes Are Starting To Fall’ — NHL Legend Says His Piece as Sharks Break the Bank To Make Macklin Celebrini NHL’s Highest-Paid Player

Macklin Celebrini made NHL history on Wednesday by signing a five-year, $94 million extension with the San Jose Sharks. With an average annual value of $18.8 million, the contract makes the 20-year-old the highest-paid player in the league on an AAV basis.

The blockbuster contract immediately drew reactions from around the hockey world, including from Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Pronger.

Chris Pronger Weighs In on Macklin Celebrini’s Record Contract

Celebrini’s new contract will take effect at the start of the 2027-28 season after the final year of his entry-level deal and will keep him in San Jose through the 2031-32 campaign.

The extension comes after an outstanding 2025-26 season in which Celebrini produced 139 points across all competitions. He recorded 115 points in 82 NHL games, added 10 points in six Olympic appearances, and finished with 14 points in 10 games at the World Championship.

Pronger believes Celebrini’s deal is only the beginning of a much bigger trend around the league.

“Well, now the dominoes are starting to fall,” Pronger said. “Carlsson’s contract set the market and now Bedard and Celebrini have followed suit. With the cap continuing to go higher the next few years, who surpasses Celebrini?”

He was, of course, referring to the massive five-year, $90 million ($18M AAV) offer sheet the Philadelphia Flyers presented to Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson earlier this summer. Although Anaheim matched the offer, the deal immediately established a new benchmark for elite young players.

Connor Bedard then signed a five-year, $75 million extension ($15M AAV) with the Chicago Blackhawks. While many viewed that contract as a discount, it did little to slow the rapid rise in salaries across the league.

Celebrini ultimately raised the bar even higher after a remarkable sophomore campaign in San Jose.

Now, attention is already turning to the next generation of stars.

New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer becomes eligible for an extension next summer, while Toronto Maple Leafs phenom Gavin McKenna could eventually benefit from an even higher salary cap.

Pronger’s message was simple: the market has changed dramatically, and contracts worth more than $18 million per season may soon become the norm for the NHL’s biggest stars.

Full List of the Top 10 Highest-Paid NHL Players (By AAV)

1. Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks) – $18.8 million AAV
2. Leo Carlsson (Anaheim Ducks) – $18 million AAV
3. Kirill Kaprizov (Minnesota Wild) – $17 million AAV
4. Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks) – $15 million AAV
5. Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) – $14 million AAV
6. Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) – $13.5 million AAV
7. Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) – $13.25 million AAV
8. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche) – $12.604 million AAV
9. Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) – $12.5 million AAV
10. Bowen Byram (Chicago Blackhawks) – $12.5 million AAV

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Celebrini’s record-breaking deal could be just the beginning, as the NHL’s biggest young stars continue to push salaries even higher. As Chris Pronger noted, someone may surpass his mark sooner rather than later.