Paul Bissonnette has said that the San Jose Sharks secured more than a franchise player when they signed Macklin Celebrini to a record-setting extension. Speaking on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast, the former NHL forward compared the 20-year-old center to one of hockey's greatest players after his historic new deal.
Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension on July 29, carrying an NHL-record $18.8 million average annual value. The contract begins in 2027-28 after the final season of his entry-level deal. It surpassed Leo Carlsson's $18 million AAV and Connor Bedard's $15 million extension signed earlier this summer.
MORE: Patrice Bergeron recalls Sidney Crosby's jaw-dropping play with 2005 Team Canada
Bissonnette said Carlsson's offer sheet helped establish the market but did not believe money alone drove San Jose's decision.
"I would say, 'Thank you, Leo Carlsson offer sheet,' because that kind of set around where he was going to get," Bissonnette said. "But I don't really think it mattered."
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Celebrini signed a five-year, $94 million extension on July 29, carrying an NHL-record $18.8 million average annual value. The contract begins in 2027-28 after the final season of his entry-level deal. It surpassed Leo Carlsson's $18 million AAV and Connor Bedard's $15 million extension signed earlier this summer.
MORE: Patrice Bergeron recalls Sidney Crosby's jaw-dropping play with 2005 Team Canada
Bissonnette said Carlsson's offer sheet helped establish the market but did not believe money alone drove San Jose's decision.
"I would say, 'Thank you, Leo Carlsson offer sheet,' because that kind of set around where he was going to get," Bissonnette said. "But I don't really think it mattered."
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