Shortly after opening up the off-season to ELC Signings through the GM Portal, one of the game's top stars not already in an NSHL line-up has signed with the Seattle Kraken.

20 year-old Macklin Celebrini agreed to his pre-set ELC deal at $2M a season for 3 years with a Signing Bonus (SB) at $1M cash to begin his NSHL career as a member of the Kraken. This won't be the last big time player the Kraken fans will be celebrating this week, as in short order Seattle GM Ray Z will be at the Draft podium (portal-ium?) announcing who the team is taking 1st overall in the NSHL26 Draft.

Unless of course Seattle trades the pick - never say never!

Celebrini wasn't the only "big name" to sign a deal on Wednesday as the Red Wings agreed to terms with Cutter Gauthier, Hamilton signed Logan Stankoven, Toronto inked Leo Carlsson and while not in the same "name" category, the new look Hartford Whalers confirmed their first ever order of business under new GM Keith by signing a pair of 22 year-olds: forward Owen Beck and defenseman Lian Bischel.

Aside from the 25 year old rated prospects, there's no real urgency for GMs to move on signing their rated prospects to ELCs as they have until the end of pre-season (referred to as "X") to finalize a decision. Sometimes it makes more sense to leave players in Juniors than bring them in too early.