The San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers are all facing contract questions, but the tone around each situation is different. One club thinks it found a bargain.
Another is getting trade calls but isn’t budging. And the third is choosing patience over urgency.
In San Jose, the headline is Macklin Celebrini’s five-year extension worth $18.8 million annually. The Sharks believe they landed something special, and according to GM Mike Grier, Celebrini could have pressed for the full 20 percent max salary but chose not to.
“Pretty cool for me to hear that from such a young player kind of having that maturity,” said Grier.
That decision is already being viewed as one that could age beautifully for the Sharks. In a summer when top-end contracts have climbed fast, Celebrini’s deal is drawing attention as a possible value contract over time.
Some projections even put his true market value above $20 million annually. There’s also a belief that the extension won’t complicate future talks with Will Smith, since Celebrini is seen as operating on a different contract tier.
In Montreal, the Canadiens are hearing from teams about Arber Xhekaj, but they are not eager to move him. The Philadelphia Flyers have maintained long-standing interest, and the Calgary Flames are among the clubs that have checked in.
Xhekaj is a restricted free agent, but he is not pushing for an exit. His camp has made it clear he wants to stay in Montreal, where he has become a fan favorite. His agent, Brian Bartlett, said, “He loves playing in Montreal, he loves the fans, he loves the city…Our hope collectively…is that we can find a way to make it work in Montreal.”
Still, the Canadiens have a decision to sort through. Xhekaj and Jayden Struble are both looking for bigger roles, and that could eventually put Montreal in a difficult spot.
Edmonton’s situation with Matt Savoie is quieter, at least for now. The Oilers and Savoie are not rushing into extension talks, and according to his agent, there have not been any formal discussions yet. The reason is simple: Edmonton is focused on the present.
Gerry Johannson, Savoie’s agent, said on Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer, “I think Matt is patient and really enjoys it here and did a good job last year, so we’re excited to see what he can do. I’m sure we’ll get down to that sooner than later.”
Savoie put up 37 points in a full 82-game season, enough to keep the organization interested in what comes next. But the Oilers may want more proof before committing long term.
Move too early, and they could pay for upside that never fully arrives. Wait too long, and a breakout could make the price jump.
There is even a remote chance of an offer sheet if talks drag on.
For now, though, both sides appear comfortable letting the situation breathe.
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