The Philadelphia Flyers' substantial contract proposal to Leo Carlsson has shifted the conversation surrounding the San Jose Sharks' upcoming free agency, specifically regarding the next deal for center Macklin Celebrini. San Jose is located approximately 9 miles northeast of Saratoga.
While the Carlsson situation introduces a new variable, Sharks management and analysts maintain that the team intends to secure Celebrini before he reaches unrestricted free agency. The organization has shown no indication of financial constraints or reluctance to retain the 20-year-old star. Celebrini recently reaffirmed his desire to remain in San Jose during an April exit interview and again in a recent discussion with Sportsnet, expressing excitement about the franchise's direction.
Celebrini’s standing in the league is already established. As a sophomore, he finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting, a distinction that places him in a tier above Carlsson, who received the offer sheet. In a March survey of 26 NHL executives, coaches, and scouts, the majority selected Celebrini as the preferred U23 player to build a franchise around, with Carlsson ranking third. Sharks General Manager Mike Grier described Celebrini as a step above both Carlsson and other recent restricted free agents like Connor Bedard.
Financial projections for Celebrini’s next contract have varied. Prior to the Carlsson news, analysts estimated an average annual value between $15 million and $16 million, based on comparisons to past superstars in their second seasons. The maximum allowable contract under the current $104 million salary cap is $20.8 million. Carlsson’s reported $18 million offer sheet may now serve as a benchmark for Celebrini’s camp, though his agent noted that Sharks owner Hasso Plattner has sufficient funds to meet any reasonable demand.