Macklin Celebrini’s blockbuster contract extension with the San Jose Sharks sent shockwaves throughout the NHL, and it didn’t take long for some of the league’s biggest stars to weigh in.
The 20-year-old center signed a five-year, $94 million extension in July 2026, giving him an NHL-record average annual value of $18.8 million. The deal made Celebrini the highest-paid player in league history and cemented his status as the face of the Sharks franchise for years to come.
While the contract itself generated plenty of attention, Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk was fascinated by another aspect of the agreement.
Matthew Tkachuk Stunned by Macklin Celebrini’s $94 Million Contract
Celebrini is entering the final season of his entry-level contract in 2026-27, meaning his lucrative extension will not begin until the following year.
The structure of the deal is what caught Tkachuk’s attention.
Between 2027 and 2029, Celebrini will earn a base salary of $950,000 while collecting signing bonuses worth $19.85 million each season. Beginning in 2029-30, his base salary will rise to $1 million, while the size of the signing bonuses will gradually decrease over the remaining years of the contract.
Because most of the money comes in the form of signing bonuses, the contract provides Celebrini with substantial financial security. The agreement also includes a full no-move clause in the final year of the deal.
Speaking on the Wingmen podcast, Tkachuk admitted that the size of those signing bonuses immediately caught his eye. “Celebrini’s in a league of his own. And I think the craziest thing for me to see is the signing bonus. And if that’s all coming on July 1st, oh my god, that is going to be one hell of a party,” Matthew said.
His brother, Brady Tkachuk, was equally impressed. “Macklin Celebrini. Just shout out. Just give a round of applause. This contract, in my opinion, is already undervalued. This guy deserves absolutely every cent.”
Brady then joked that he hoped to celebrate alongside Celebrini once the first payment arrives. “I want to be with Macklin on July 1st. If it all comes July 1st, I want to find a way to be in the same spot as him, just to see what kind of party we can get ourselves into.”
The contract reflects just how quickly Celebrini has established himself as one of the league’s elite players.
After producing 45 goals and 115 points during his sophomore season, he broke Joe Thornton’s franchise record for points in a single season and became the centerpiece of San Jose’s rebuilding effort.
With the salary cap expected to continue rising over the next several seasons, the Sharks are betting that the deal will look more reasonable with time.
For now, though, the rest of the league is still trying to process the size of Celebrini’s massive payday.
