Recently, Macklin Celebrini signed a blockbuster 5-year, $94 million contract extension which begins at the start of the 2027-2028 season. The Sharks’ General Manager, Mike Grier, celebrated the extension and hinted at a Will Smith contract as well. In this same statement, Grier revealed it was likely Celebrini and Smith will live together in the upcoming season. This is exciting, not only for the entertainment value of their friendship, but also in the development of their play.
Back in the 2022-2023 season, Celebrini was playing for the Chicago Steel and Smith for the USNTDP U18’s, both in the USHL. Throughout the season, the two’s paths occasionally, but rarely, crossed. However, before his best friend was Will Smith, Celebrini’s best friend was Steel teammate Jayden Perron. The pair lived together and as a result, the two led the Steel to an incredible season.
With Perron on his wing, Celebrini’s line was one of the most feared in the USHL. That season, the 16-year-old Celebrini stunned everyone. He won the USHL’s Forward of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Player of the Year…the first in league history to sweep all three titles. Celebrini recorded 86 points (46G, 40A) in 50 games played, leading the league in goals and overall points. Of those 46 goals, Jayden Perron assisted on 19.
Perron himself also had a great season, notching 72 points (24G, 48A) in 61 games. Of those 24 goals, Celebrini had assisted on nine. Their connection was electric, and unstoppable. The impact the two had on each other was undeniable, especially considering Perron’s previous season where he scored 45 points (17G, 28A) in 60 games played. Perron was always a talented player in his own right: tendered, much like Celebrini, by the Steel ahead of his draft year, ensuring their rights to him. However, Celebrini’s influence on him was apparent in a 25 point production increase.
Now, Perron is thriving playing for University of Michigan (where he was arguably their best skater in the Frozen Four), and Celebrini is dominating in the NHL. Celebrini has (tried) to fill the Jayden Perron-shaped hole in his heart with Will Smith, and great San Jose hockey has been the result. In his historic season, Celebrini recorded 115 points (45G, 70A) in 82 games and Smith notched 59 points (24G, 35A) in 69 games on his wing. Of Celebrini’s 45 goals, Smith assisted on 17. Of Smith’s 24 goals, Celebrini assisted on an astounding 18.
Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith have been instrumental to the continued upward trajectory of the Sharks organization. Their friendship has been a positive influence not only on each other’s personal lives, but also their professional lives. Living together would be the best case scenario for the pair, and the organization as a whole, and could genuinely double their production. Their unspoken bond is already strong, but living together would only intensify it.
Add us as a preferred source on Google