The San Jose Sharks have made their biggest commitment yet to Macklin Celebrini, locking up the young star on a five-year extension worth $94 million. When the new deal kicks in, Celebrini will sit atop the NHL salary ladder with an AAV of $18.8 million per season.
It’s a massive number, but the Sharks are treating it as a win in more ways than one. GM Mike Grier made clear the team appreciated how the negotiation played out, saying, “As we continue our goal of building a team capable of annually competing for the Stanley Cup, we want to thank Macklin and his representatives for a respectful negotiation process, and acknowledge the flexibility they have provided to the team in how we allocate future dollars towards the team being constructed around Macklin,” said GM Mike Grier.
With Celebrini taken care of, San Jose can turn its attention to Will Smith, who is next in line as a major contract priority. His entry-level deal runs through the 2026-27 season, and Celebrini’s extension should give both sides a clearer picture of where Smith’s next contract may land.
Elsewhere, the Minnesota Wild are heading into important talks with Quinn Hughes, and the length of the deal may already be the central issue. One report indicates both sides have a sense of the term, but the Wild want something in the five- to eight-year range while Michael Russo reports Hughes is leaning toward a shorter bridge, possibly three years. Hughes’ preference is tied to wanting his contract to expire alongside his brother Jack Hughes.
That creates a tricky setup for Minnesota. Hughes appears open to joining the Wild, but the shorter term would leave the door open for a much shorter stay.
If his long-term goal is to line up with his brothers, Minnesota may not be the final stop. That’s why GM Bill Guerin will need to be careful about trade protection if a deal gets done, and why the Wild could eventually have to think about trade options if they believe the relationship won’t last.
In Detroit, the noise around Alex DeBrincat hasn’t turned into anything concrete. Even after the front office changes, the belief is that the winger is staying put, and DeBrincat is reportedly happy with the Red Wings. He’s also become too important to ignore, leading the team in goals and providing steady offense.
Still, the situation in Detroit remains unsettled. The status of Steve Yzerman’s authority is unclear, the Dylan Larkin trade talk is on hold, and Patrick Kane is gone.
DeBrincat’s next contract is the real issue, and with the market for top scorers climbing, his number could reach the $14 million AAV range. The Red Wings should have the cap space to handle it, but whether they see that price as acceptable is what will determine how quickly things move.
Ottawa, meanwhile, is dealing with a widening gap in talks with Drake Batherson. Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Sun reported that the sides are not close, writing:
“While Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios has opened discussions on an extension, league sources told the Ottawa Citizen they believe the two sides “aren’t close” to an agreement.”
Batherson is entering the final year of his current contract and is expected to seek a major raise, likely in the $10 million to $11 million range annually. There is mutual interest in keeping the partnership going, but the money remains the obstacle.
And Batherson isn’t the only important Ottawa name on the list. Defenseman Artem Zub is also heading toward unrestricted free agency next summer, and the Senators are expected to open extension talks with him soon.
In Other News...
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The Red Wings finally took the kind of draft swing their fans have been waiting for, turning a goaltending prospect into a chance to add a high-end skater to the pipeline. With the 24th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft in hand, Detroit made its move on J.P. Hurlbert, a skilled forward out of the Kamloops Blazers who brings a different kind of upside than the usual draft-day safe play.
Hurlberts path has already been a little unusual, and it is about to get even more interesting. After leaving the USNTDP early and spending a year in the CHL, he is expected to head to the University of Michigan next season, giving the Red Wings a prospect whose development will be watched closely on both sides of the college-hockey divide. [Read more 🡒]
Red Wings Just Reopened A Goalie Question Fans Can't Ignore
The Red Wings have kept another goaltending piece in the fold, signing Gylander to a one-year, two-way deal for the 2026-27 season. It is the latest reminder that Detroit is still sorting through its crease pipeline, and Gylander remains part of that picture after first joining the organization as a draft pick in 2019.
What makes his situation worth watching is the uncertainty around where he fits next fall. Gylander has spent most of his time with the clubs AHL and ECHL affiliates, but the Red Wings also have other young netminders in the mix, which leaves his starting point for the season unsettled for now. [Read more 🡒]