Celebrini Discusses Hometown Discount for Sharks

Macklin Celebrini has expressed his willingness to offer the San Jose Sharks a 'hometown discount' as he prepares for a potential contract extension. Celebrini, a 20-year-old phenom and Hart Trophy candidate, recently posted a franchise-record 115 points and finished with the second-most goals in Sharks history.

The context of his potential contract comes after Leo Carlsson signed an $18 million-per-season offer sheet matched by the Anaheim Ducks and Connor Bedard received a $15 million average annual value contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Celebrini's situation raises the question of what a 'discount' would look like for a player of his caliber, especially as salaries in the NHL continue to rise. The current benchmark is Carlsson's five-year, $90 million deal, equating to an NHL-record $18 million AAV.

Celebrini's production could justify a contract that matches or exceeds these figures. However, he could leave money on the table, similar to other stars like Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid, who have taken less to help their teams remain competitive.

Celebrini indicated that while players want to be compensated fairly, he also wants to ensure the team has the flexibility to make necessary moves for success. Speculation suggests that if he is to send a message by taking less than Carlsson, his extension could fall in the $17 million to $18 million range, but a $14 million AAV seems unlikely.

His willingness to consider a discount is seen as a significant advantage for the Sharks as they navigate their salary cap strategy and roster construction for the upcoming season. This willingness could reshape how the Sharks build their team moving forward, given the financial landscape of the NHL.