Anaheim Ducks forward Leo Carlsson’s new contract has changed the financial landscape for young NHL stars approaching their next deals.
The Ducks center was tendered a five-year, $90 million offer sheet by the Philadelphia Flyers on July 3. Anaheim matched the offer six days later, keeping Carlsson while giving him an NHL-record $18 million average annual value.
The agreement drew attention because Carlsson reached that figure right after completing his entry-level deal following just three years in the NHL. And as is always the case, it established a new milestone for other young players to match or overtake, including San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.
Celebrini is entering the final season of his own entry-level contract after scoring 45 goals and 115 points last year in a true breakout campaign. He finished with the fourth-most points and assists in the NHL while ranking seventh in goals scored, and also played a key role in the Olympics representing Team Canada.
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As a fellow young phenom with a new deal on the horizon, Celebrini was asked about Carlsson’s deal while speaking with ESPN's Greg Wyshynski after being named the cover athlete for EA Sports NHL 27.
“I’ve talked to a couple guys about it,” Celebrini said. “I think at first everyone was kind of surprised just because $18 million hasn’t really flown around the NHL much at all.”
Surprise or not, Celebrini believes the contract makes sense because of Carlsson’s ability and the league’s rising salary cap. Carlsson scored 67 points last season to Celebrini's 115, and his deal could influence the Sharks' negotiations with Celebrini next summer.
“Obviously, you look at it as a big number, but he’s an amazing player,” Celebrini said. “He got it because he deserved it.”
Added Celebrini: “I think that’s going to start being the new normal in the NHL, those kinds of numbers with the cap going up and all that stuff.”
Ultimately, and perhaps hinting at what's next for him and the Sharks, Celebrini framed Carlsson's contract as a positive development for the rest of the players across the NHL.
“It was really good for him to get that number and it’s also good for everyone else,” Celebrini said. “That means the salaries are rising for players.”
