Sharks Extend Collin Graf
On Friday, San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier announced that Collin Graf had signed a three-year contract for $12.75 million. The contract is worth $4.25 million AAV.
The agreement comes two days after Macklin Celebrini's long-term extension for five years, $18.8 million annually, continuing the Sharks' effort to solidify their young core. Graf joins a pool of players aged 25 and younger who are showing how much of the organization's next steps are coming from the emerging talent. (During the 2025-26 season, 206 of the Sharks' 249 goals featured at least one player 23 years old or younger.) That group includes Celebrini, Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Sam Dickinson. Not to mention the prospect pipeline.
At 23 years old, the Lincoln, Massachusetts-born forward played a career high 81 games with the Sharks in 2025-26, logging 21 goals and 25 assists. Averaging 16:26 of ice time, Graf finished the season with a plus-6 rating, 12 penalty minutes, and four game-winning goals. His four game-winners ranked second on the Sharks, trailing only Celebrini and Smith, who each had five.
With the Sharks during his entire NHL career, the right winger has made 121 appearances, logging 59 points on 26 goals and 33 assists.
Grier pointed to Graf's impact beyond the scoresheet, noting his role on the penalty kill and versatility throughout the lineup.
A young winger who can score 20+ goals while also being valued on the PK, slots him in as both a depth player and a top-nine forward.
"His hard working attitude and work ethic is a big reason why his game took another stride last year," Grier said.
Graf played hockey at Union College (2021-22) and Quinnipiac University (2022-23, 2023-24). Following his collegiate career where he finished with 54 goals and 76 assists in 112 games, Graf signed with the Sharks in 2024, soon establishing himself as a regular in the lineup in 2025-26.
Where Will Graf Go From Here?
As for the deal itself, Graf's extension shows that Team Teal is committed to the foundation of players who will lead the team into its next era, possibly one of contention. The three-year deal solidly gives both the organization and Graf a chance to monitor his development. If he continues to be a reliable, 20-30 goal-scorer and 60-point forward, the contract is a bargain. Even as a middle-six forward with 40-50 points and versatility, the contract would be a reasonable investment.
At six-foot-one and 195 pounds, Graf's next step will be finding ways to keep elevating his offensive impact, establishing himself as a middle-six forward, and maintaining that initial versatility that earned the trust of the coaching staff.
