Macklin Celebrini met with select members of the San Jose media on Thursday to discuss his new contract extension with the San Jose Sharks.
Celebrini is set to become the highest-paid player in the NHL when his five-year $94 million contract takes effect next summer, but he could've easily asked for more. "He would've had every right to ask for the max 20% [of the salary cap]," Sharks General Manager Mike Grier said back in July. "We're very thankful that he was willing to give us some flexibility and take a little bit less and leave some money on the table to help us continue to grow our team."
“I wanted to make sure that with where the cap was going, that the number made sense for the team first and foremost, making sure that everyone can get paid, and that we’re in a good spot to build the way we want to build," Celebrini told The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka on Thursday.
Following Celebrini's record-breaking season with the San Jose Sharks, both sides made it fairly clear that they wanted to get a deal done as soon as possible. “It was something I wanted to get done this summer,” he said. “I didn’t really want to wait until next summer and have it hanging over my head all year. I think it worked out, and I’m thankful for everyone that we worked to get it done this summer.”
Had Celebrini asked for a average annual value upward of the $20-million mark, he certainly would've gotten it. If he had waited another 12 months to sign his extension, he likely could've gotten even more. As a result, despite being the highest paid player in the league, he left money on the table in order to help the Sharks build a strong roster around him.
As for the term, Celebrini added: "Overall, just all the different factors with where our team is going, and having that flexibility. I think we're all really excited with where we're going and what we're building. So kind of keeping a little bit more flexibility for everyone. It's not really a bad thing. I'm committed to this team and this organization."
