The San Jose Sharks have made centre Macklin Celebrini of North Vancouver, British Columbia the highest paid player in the National Hockey League. On Thursday according to the Associated Press, Celebrini signed a five-year contract extension worth $94 million. Celebrini is set to make $18.8 million per season.
Celebrini passes Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks as the NHL’s highest paid player. Carlsson is set to make $18 million per season.
In 2025-26, Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists for 115 points. He was a +8 with 44 penalty minutes, 33 power-play points, five game-winning goals, 287 shots on goal, 625 faceoff wins, 53 blocked shots, 53 hits, 41 takeaways, and 150 giveaways. The Sharks are definitely a team on the rise and Celebrini is at the focal point of the Sharks squad. San Jose had a 34 point improvement in 2025-26 compared to 2024-25.
However, even though Celebrini is the highest paid player in the NHL, he is definitely not the best player in the NHL. The NHL’s best is Connor McDavid of Richmond Hill, Ontario. The Edmonton Oilers centre and captain took a hometown discount last summer, and is only making $12.5 million this season and next season. That is because McDavid realizes the Oilers are built to win right now, and wanted the Oilers to have some wiggle room at the trade deadline in February in order to sign a premier player.
