Macklin Celebrini is eligible to sign a contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on July 1, 2026.

Players must wait until two years have elapsed from their entry-level contract before they can sign their next deal. However, it isn’t uncommon for players to wait until their entire ELC is complete as well. An example of that is Connor Bedard, who is in year three of his standard 3-year ELC. He would be a restricted free agent for the Chicago Blackhawks if a new deal isn’t signed by July 1.

The Athletic published an anonymous poll of NHL agents on various topics. Those topics include which teams are the best or worst to work with. But they were also asked a question about what the San Jose Sharks franchise star’s next contract might look like.

“He’s going to get a monster deal, and they’re going to have to pay him. What Celebrini is doing in San Jose is incredible. It’s been a slow burn with the second contracts being so big. This is going to take them to another level, which will reshape the way teams get squeezed with their high-end guys,” One agent said.

Sharks GM Mike Grier joked about not wanting to even think about the amount Celebrini will sign for. That shows that even the front office knows that his next contract could rival some of the NHL’s highest.

Minnesota Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov signed an 8-year contract worth $136 million ($17 million AAV) in September. That deal will start in the 26-27 season, and is the most valuable contract in NHL history. The 28-year-old is a top-ten player in the NHL. This season, he has 45 goals and 44 assists in 78 games. Kaprizov is the Wild’s best player, and it’s not close.

Celebrini should be nominated for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP this season, and his value to the San Jose Sharks is extreme. He’s also 19 years old and getting better.

“Why shouldn’t Celebrini make like 20 million bucks a year? I mean, it’s a lot, but look at that kid. I guess my point with Celebrini is I know it’s not apples to apples because Kaprizov could have become UFA, but if you’re him, why wouldn’t I say, Kaprizov’s getting this, why shouldn’t I make more than Kaprizov?” another agent said.

The question of term is something the Sharks will have to consider for Celebrini. The team will likely want to sign the 2024 NHL Draft No. 1 pick to a maximum-length deal, eight years. Starting Sept. 16, the maximum term a player re-signing with the same team will be reduced from eight to seven years.

“It’s going to be in the $10 to $17 (million) range, depending on the number of years he’s willing to forgo. If he’s going to go very short-term, it’ll be $10 to $12 (million). If he’s going to give up term, it’ll be in the $12 to $15 (million) [or] if he really wants to push, it could be $17 (million),” another Agent told The Athletic.

Toronto Maple Leafs super star Auston Matthews has opted to keep his contract length to five and four years, giving him ample opportunity to make more money with a rising salary cap. Celebrini could do the same, and if he does, it could reshape the entire market for how young players get their first contract extensions.

“I think they’re going to do what Matthews did and keep hitting doubles and triples and not going for the grand slam because the grand slam will actually be in total less than the doubles and triples at the end of the day,” said one more agent.

Signing his next contract is a two-way street. Both the Sharks and Celebrini’s representation will negotiate their wants and desires, and ultimately, a deal will get done. There’s a chance the Sharks go into the 26-27 season without an extension in place for Celebrini. But if that happens, then the Sharks won’t be able to sign him for eight years; it would max out at seven.

Figuring out Celebrini’s next contract might be the hardest part. Only Celebrini and his agent know what they want to ask for. Come July 1, all eyes will turn to Celebrini’s potential contract extension.