Macklin Celebrini's 2026 IIHF Male Player of the Year award drew plenty of reaction from NHL fans after the San Jose Sharks forward finished ahead of Connor McDavid in the voting.

The International Ice Hockey Federation announced on Thursday that Celebrini had won the award after receiving 40.8 percent of the vote from nearly 200 media members and IIHF officials. The Sharks shared the news on X prompting plenty of reactions from fans.

One fan wrote:

Another believed it was time for San Jose to lock up its franchise star.

One user simply wrote:

Another fan joked:

One user posted:

Another added:

Macklin Celebrini received 40.8 percent of the vote to finish first, ahead of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Carolina Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho. Connor McDavid placed fourth after leading the Olympic tournament with 13 points including two goals and 11 assists, in six games for Canada.

Macklin Celebrini's performances for Canada were a big reason he won the award. He led the Winter Olympics with five goals and finished second with 10 points in six games as Canada claimed silver, earning a place on the tournament's All-Star Team. He later captained Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Championship, where he finished second in tournament scoring with six goals and eight assists in 10 games.

Although San Jose is reportedly prepared to offer Celebrini the maximum contract allowed, the conversation may not end there.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Sharks are expected to ask whether the young center would consider signing for less if it helps the club keep more salary-cap space to build around him.

A maximum contract beginning in the 2027-28 season would carry an average annual value of about $22.6 million based on the league's projected salary cap. Even if both sides agree to a lower figure, Celebrini would still be among the NHL's highest-paid players.

The timing also favors the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini became eligible to sign an extension on July 1, and this offseason is the only opportunity to offer him an eight-year contract before the NHL's new collective bargaining agreement reduces the maximum term to seven years.

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