The San Jose Sharks have a franchise-altering talent on their hands in Macklin Celebrini. At just 19 years old, the phenom has already shattered the team's single-season points record, putting himself in the conversation with the league's all-time greats. Now, the hockey world is buzzing about what his next contract could look like, and the numbers being discussed are staggering.

In a revealing poll of NHL agents conducted by The Athletic, Celebrini was voted the second-most likely player to become the league's highest-paid skater by the 2028-29 season. The consensus? He's operating in a "much different tier" than even other elite young stars like Connor Bedard.

The financial projections are eye-popping. One agent boldly suggested, "Why shouldn't Celebrini make like 20 million bucks a year?" While that figure represents the extreme high end, the realistic range for an extension with San Jose is projected between $10 and $17 million per season. The final number will hinge on term: a shorter "bridge" deal might land in the $10-12 million range, while a long-term commitment to the Sharks could push the annual value toward—or even past—$17 million.

This isn't just about one player's payday. As another agent noted, "This is going to take them to another level, which will reshape the way teams get squeezed with their high-end guys." Celebrini's contract is poised to set a new benchmark for superstar compensation, putting immense pressure on the Sharks' front office to secure their cornerstone for the future. For Sharks fans, it's a thrilling but expensive problem to have, signaling a bright new era for the franchise.