The San Jose Sharks have struck gold with 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini, who just wrapped up a record-breaking season that nearly propelled the team into the playoffs. With such a transformative talent on their roster, the focus is now shifting to securing his future, and contract talks are expected to heat up this summer.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts, the Sharks plan to be proactive in extension discussions once Celebrini becomes eligible. The intriguing part is the term. Friedman suggests a long-term, seven-to-eight-year deal is unlikely from the player's side, but so is a short, four-year bridge. The real negotiation appears to be between a three-year or a five-year pact.

A three-year extension would bring Celebrini right to the brink of unrestricted free agency, while a five-year deal would buy out his first year of UFA eligibility. This decision is crucial, as it balances rewarding the franchise centerpiece with maintaining enough salary cap flexibility to build a contender around him.

The financial stakes are enormous. Based on agent speculation reported by The Athletic, a three-year deal could carry an average annual value between $10 million and $12 million. A longer, five-year commitment could push that number toward the $14 million to $15 million range, reflecting his status as one of the league's elite young stars after a 115-point campaign.

With Celebrini first eligible to sign on July 1, the expectation is for a deal to be finalized this summer. For Sharks fans and the front office alike, locking down Celebrini is the essential first step in charting a new, competitive course for the franchise.