A roundup of all the signings, rumors, and rumblings surrounding the Vegas Golden Knights as free agency opens in advance of the 2025-26 season.
*This article will be updated throughout the day as more information rolls in.*
- In a sign-and-trade deal, the Golden Knights have acquired Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Nic Roy. (Source: @DarrenDreger)
- Marner signed an 8-year $12 million AAV contract with Toronto that will transfer to VGK. (Source: @FriedgeHNIC)
- Marner will wear #93 with VGK. (Source: @GoldenKnights)
- Alex Pietrangelo announced he will undergo a major surgery in which “the likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play.” (Source: @GoldenKnights)
- VGK have traded Nic Hague and a conditional 2027 3rd round pick to Nashville for Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon. (Source: @DarrenDreger)
- Hague subsequently signed a 4-year $5.5 million AAV deal with the Predators. (Source: FriedgeHNIC)
- Nashville will retain 50% of Sissons’ contract bringing the cap hit to $1,428,572. (Source: @PierreVLeBrun)
- The condition on the draft pick is if VGK win two rounds in this year’s playoffs the pick converts to the 2nd round. (Source: @PierreVLeBrun)
- Brandon Saad will remain with the Golden Knights on a 1-year $2 million contract. (Source: @PuckPedia)
- Reilly Smith has agreed to a 1-year $2 million extension to stay with the Golden Knights. (Source: @FriedgeHNIC)
- VGK have signed Dylan Coghlan to a 1-year contract worth $775,000. (Source: @irfgaffar)
- Jaycob Megna has signed a 2-year contract with Vegas worth $800,000 AAV. (Source: @mirtle)
- VGK signed Cole Reinhardt to a 2-year contract. (Source: @GoldenKnights)
- VGK have extended qualifying offers to Lukas Cormier, Alex Holtz, Raphael Lavoie, Jonas Rondbjerg, and Cole Schwindt. (Source: @GoldenKnights)
Former VGK players
- Nick Cousins signed a 1-year $825,000 deal to remain in Ottawa. (@SunGarrioch)
- Tomas Nosek agreed to a league minimum deal with the Florida Panthers. (@GeorgeRichards)
- Nate Schmidt signed a 3-year $3.5 million AAV contract with the Utah Mammoth. (Source: @FriedgeHNIC)
- Tanner Pearson signed a 1-year, $1 million deal with Winnipeg. (Source: @DarrenDreger)
- Evgenii Dadonov signed a 1-year, $1 million contract with New Jersey. (Source: @NJDevils)
Simplified Salary Cap Tracker
- VGK are approximately $1,211,428 UNDER the salary cap with a 22-man roster (12 F, 8 D, 2 G)
- Marner, Eichel, Stone, Hertl, Karlsson, Barbashev, Howden, Kolesar, Saad, Smith, Dorofeyev, Sissons – $61,413,572
- Theodore, Hanifin, McNabb, Whitecloud, Lauzon, Hutton, Korczak, Coghlan – $34,550,000
- Hill, Schmid – $7,125,000
- Qualifying Offers – Cormier ($813,750), Holtz ($874,125), Lavoie ($813,750), Rondbjerg ($813,750), Schwindt ($840,000)
- Expected LTIR – Pietrangelo ($8,800,000)
**This is an inexact salary estimation designed to give a rough outline of how much cap space the Golden Knights have to operate with. For exact up-to-date salary cap information, visit PuckPedia.com.**
ThG
Eichel signing status ??
Ken Boehlke
He has not been signed.
There will not be any news on that until it’s done. Which could happen today, could happen in a week, or could happen in a month.
ThG
:)
The hockey God
breaking
wow
The World Series of Poker vacated the result of one of its largest events after two players were accused of colluding during heads-up play.
In a statement released Monday night on social media, the WSOP announced it completed its investigation into the $1,500 “Millionaire Maker” No-limit Hold’em tournament and will not recognize a winner.
“We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized and no bracelet will be awarded for this year’s tournament,” the statement said. “The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players.”
ThG
Where’s Jason??
Let’s look at the status of the VGK situation , from a STRAT (premier statistician and one of most realistic measurers of overall performance). These are based upon last year metrics, as always, metrics tell you where you have been not where you are going.
Just going to look at O/D ratings, nothing more. That is offense Defense.
VGK
Pietrangelo, used to be a 4/4 until this past year, slide to a 3/4 although his +/- increased to +11 from a negative the year before. His ice time averaged well over 20 minutes per game. A real warrior. His performance really didn’t start to dive until the end of season. A solid performance.
Hague: 2/3
Roy: 3/2
So that is 8-9 on O/ 9 on D
let’s look at three players VGK added to roster
Marner 4/5 (yes he’s a premium D rating, 5’s are rare for forwards)
Lauzon 2/4
Sissons 2/4
So that adds up to 8/13
Clearly a pick up on overall D side.
But the imbalance remains in that VGK lost two D men, or 1/3rd of their starting
D line up (2/6).
A Martinez like pick up would be highly beneficial for the FO on D.
The bleeding continues for the Franchise , starting last season with loss
of five key players (Smith gone and returned, Carrier, Stephanson, Marty, LT,
Marchy). The Franchise is still trying to pave the way to fill the gap left. These
transactions are clearly a step forward. But more is needed. Like back up goalie
and another solid veteran D man. There are several seasoned D men on the market, but the pickings is few.
Emmanuel
Theyre not just getting older, a LOT of the players are in the “fall off the cliff” age zone.
Its FAR more likely they miss the playoffs than thy make the Cup final.
And thats assuming both Eichel & Marner stay healthy.
Gerald J Dombrowski
I hate to say it but it looks to me like it’s gonna be quite sometime before the vhk wins another Stanley they way they are going ,who pics these players should hide their face in public
AJ
Who is your dark horse FA signing from the VGK coming up next?
trade
LA Kings signed Corey Perry and Joel Armia. talk about oldies, maybe the Vgk can suit up Deryk Engelland again. :) sarc
Emmanuel
The posters here have never seen a former VGK they didnt want to bring back…..
NAM
Dylan Coghlan? Uh ok?
trade
dman Rasmus Andersson of Calgary has made it known that he wants to go to the VGK.
ThG
he’s a 4/4 according to STrat a very good offense and defense rating group
Emmanuel
I had very old versions of the game, board & computer, those ratings were about “ability to penetrate inside/ability to deny penetration inside” so theyre not a metric for overall offense/defense. Maybe its changed since.
ThG
Those are other, additional metrics that you mention that I did not list, I can list them for the players if you like. The O and D are just that. Offense and Defense ratings and they are overall stat for offesne and defense. . Yes it’s changed, there are many more stats listed. Like intimidation impact, faceoffs, short handed defense, as well as passing ability, great passing ability, and skating with puck (which is now a lost art, which was useful for penalty kills).
from PP AI chat generator:
“In Strat-O-Matic Hockey, the “O” rating represents a player’s offensive ability, while the “D” rating represents their defensive ability. These ratings are used in conjunction with other player attributes and dice rolls to simulate game outcomes.
Hockey New Products
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Offensive (O) Rating:
This rating reflects a player’s ability to score goals and create offensive opportunities. It is used to determine the likelihood of a player taking a successful shot, making a good pass, or generating a breakaway.
Defensive (D) Rating:
This rating indicates a player’s ability to prevent the opposing team from scoring. It influences the outcome of defensive plays, such as interceptions, blocked shots, and successful penetrations.
These ratings, along with other factors like breakaway, passing, and penalty ratings, are combined with dice rolls to determine the results of plays during a Strat-O-Matic game. For example, a player with a high offensive rating and a low defensive rating might be more likely to score but also more susceptible to being penalized or having the puck taken away. “
Emmanuel
Im old/cheap, my older versions were basically, Pass/shoot/penetrate, and it would give you a % chance the player would penetrate.
By the way we used to build 6 teams leagues drafted from each division, I was partial to goal scorers then fill out the roster with low penalty/ high intimidation D, that was the sweet spot for me.
The good old days, SOM hockey & Tecmo football…..
JB
Looks like Sissons and Lauzon both have a little grit to their game. Could help us out in that area!
Emmanuel
Utah making good under the radar signings. Theyre a star two way D away from being an outside chance Cup contender.
ThG
sign and trade
Emmanuel
Im curious about his maturity. This is a dicey city to live in if youre young & wealthy, hope he has family looking out for him.
The hockey God
summerlin is not dicey, it’s an enclave of wealthy capitalists with good schools , gated communities and a new ball park. One casino which no one goes too.
Emmanuel
Im a few blocks away….I wont even go to it.
ThG
MM
https://x.com/i/status/1940183506644357281
Pistol Pete
I should have checked on the draft pick compensation for a Marco Rossi-sized offer sheet offer. It is a first and a third. I had reviewed the rules some time ago but forgot it is that expensive in this price range. A already fringe idea becomes more of one. Can”t blame me for trying!
Stay put. Don’t sell Barbashev to get Andersson. We can make this work. Theodore and Hanifin will elevate themselves to pick up the slack created by Petro’s departure!
Theodore
Hanifin
McNabb
Whitecloud
Korczak
Lauzon/Hutton
HSK depth chart: Cormier/Kmec
Note: Knec highly speculative. Cormier already there just think Kmec looks more imposing. There are a number of good-sized D’s in camp but Kmec has far and away the best stats in the Juniors and just looks really good his skating.
Spoke briefly with Connelly’s father at the development camp today. Trevor is looking forward to his first season in Henderson and has put on some weight working with the trainers.
Hemmerling and Uronen both not big but high on the forwards prospect depth chart both had excellent seasons in the Juniors (like well more than a point a game) and should be ready for Henderson.
Pistol Pete
Tomas Uronen: 2024-25 OHL (90 pts—63 games)
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/540333/tuomas-uronen
Pistol Pete
So for Ben Hemmerling 2023-24 was his strong showing in the WHL (91pts—65 games). HSK 2024-25 just 2 pts in 17 games (injured?). Hopefully better this season but not holding our breath.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/558211/ben-hemmerling
Pistol Pete
6’0” 190 Uronen bigger than I thought. Signed but can’t confirm will be in Henderson 2025/26. Much lower pick than Connelly but in fact could be right up there with him on the depth chart.
ThG
I like Uronen, Kmec, Kai Uchac , Ben Hemmerling Forward, the goalies are decent, big goalie is pretty big and flexible, Trevor Connelly Forward
Matyas Sapovaliv Forward,Remi Gelinas Forward, and a couple of d men are gritty.
JB
Pete, appreciate your on site observations at the camp. It’s nice to see real reports and not just a bunch of cut n paste BS by some others!
Pistol Pete
Forgot about this guy not at camp. Definitely up there on the depth chart:
Mathieu Cataford is expected to play for the Henderson Silver Knights (HSK) during the 2025-2026 season.
Here’s why:
He concluded his Canadian Hockey League (CHL) career this season.
It is anticipated that he will join the HSK for his rookie professional season next year (2025-2026).
Cataford himself mentioned looking forward to playing for the Silver Knights in the future.
He previously got a taste of playing in the AHL, which gave him confidence for playing there in the future.
He sees joining the HSK as the next step towards his goal of playing for the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL.
In summary, all available information indicates that Cataford is slated to play for the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL in 2025-2026.
Pistol Pete
Really some newbies to watch in Henderson especially Connelly, Cataford, Uronen (unconfirmed) and Kmec.
VGK fan
So VGK essentially traded Hague and Roy for Marner, seems pretty overwhelmingly lopsided in my opinion.
Pistol Pete
Roy’s cap had to be dumped to create the space for Marner. Giving him to Toronto was the perfect way to do it. Toronto should count themselves as fortunate to get anything for Marner given he was about to become a free agent. McCrimmon did not have the cap space to extend Hague that is why he traded him.
NAM
I think VGK got fleeced on both the Hague and Roy trade. Sure we didn’t want to pay Hague 5 mil and I am ok with that, but taking on two C level players and having to give a draft pick on top of it seems lame. Time will tell, but I don’t see the brilliance here.
If trading Roy was only to get a 8th year from Marner that seems stupid. If Roy was for cap space that also seems stupid as he was worth more on the trade market than just a useless 8th year. I think VGK started with good intention talks with TOR and after gaining access to Marner backed out of the deal causing the tampering charges to be thrown out there. Arguably one of the best centers traded this off season was given away for effectively nothing.
Pistol Pete
Roy’s cap had to be dumped to make room for Marner and his other needs such as SmIth and Saad, that was the main reason for “trading” Roy. Of equal importance, the sign and trade enabled Marner to be traded ahead of free agency, otherwise McCrimmon would have been bidding against other teams and if he won may have been stuck with a higher AAV.
McCrimmon did not have the cap space to extend Hague and thus could not extend him a qualifying offer. If not for the Preds deal or another 11th hour one Hague was free to walk and McCrimmon gets zilch. What one has to realize is he was working for a while to trade Hague and this 11th hour deal was the best he could do.
Pistol Pete
Sign and trade locking up Marner ahead of free agency was the best move if one supports acquiring him which we know McCrimmon, McPhee and Cassidy did (some fans not). We can only guess what the AAV would have been on the open market more than $12m probably.
Emmanuel
Though they had/have value in the end we are talking about a 4C & a 4/5/6 D.
Pistol Pete
History of Marner’s #93:
Picked it for his Juniors career (also Knights: London Knights). #93 was number of his father’s favorite player Doug Gilmore. As a Leaf Gilmore’s
jersey was retired precluding Marner from taking #93 in Toronto. Now he is #93 again. Cool!
As an aside, Marner’s 63 playoffs points is the most among him, Tavares, Mathews, and Nylander.
Emmanuel
Someone should write a book why the Maple Leafs never broke thru with all that F talent. Weak D & G? Just pure dumb luck? They ran into hot goalies?
Pistol Pete
Top heavy core never enough depth? Will be nice to see Marner do great in the playoffs here and silence his critics!
Pistol Pete
Here is what some of us including yours truly have been saying all along.
“Jack needs someone to keep up with him, and Mitch is someone who can do just that,” Cassidy said. “I coached against Mitch when I was with the Boston Bruins, and I always thought he was the motor that made the Leafs go. And I was impressed with him when I was an assistant with Canada for the 4 Nations. He was a very receptive player.”
https://www.nhl.com/news/mitch-marner-eager-to-begin-new-chapter-with-vegas-golden-knights
Pistol Pete
In the presser McCrimmon indicated they wanted the 8 yr. to reduce the $96m to $12m AAV. $96m 7 yr. AAV = $13.7m. That is what he said. If Marner had hit the open market I guess he could have gotten more than $12m and VGK would have to pay it too. Hard to say.
Pistol Pete
In the presser McCrimmon supported his moves:
1. Re-sign Smith. Agree.
2. Re-sign Saad. Agree. The Hertl line with him WAS good.
3. Sissons one the best FO guys in the league, an elite PK’er. Can’t dispute it.
4. Lauzon one the heaviest hitters in the league hard to play against. Can’t dispute it.
One has to like this top nine:
Barbashev-Eichel-Marner
Saad-Hertl-Dorofeyev
Smith-Karlsson-Stone
Howden-Sissons-Kolesar should be just fine. McCrimmon noted the puck possession quality of the top nine, citing the forechecking and hard hitting identity of the bottom line which is heavy enough (all 6 ft.+ 200+) Believe he respects the forechecking of Sissons.
Pistol Pete
Can’t complain about this roster and actually think there are some players in Henderson that have fairly near term NHL potential if there is room on the roster. Overall I am bullish for 2025-26!
Yup this is AI but is accurate/plausible imo:
Despite Pietrangelo stepping away from the team due to injury, the Vegas Golden Knights’ defense corps has shown resilience and a solid track record without him.
Evidence to support the effectiveness of the VGK defense without Pietrangelo:
Positive Record: The Golden Knights hold a impressive .718 points percentage without Pietrangelo.
Strong Goals Against: According to SinBin.vegas, the Golden Knights’ goals against per game is slightly lower without Pietrangelo (2.71) compared to when he is in the lineup (2.72).
Other Key Contributors: Even without Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights boast a strong defensive core featuring players like Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and Zach Whitecloud, among others.
Proven Success: The VGK won the Stanley Cup in 2023 with Pietrangelo anchoring the blue line. While this is a testament to his talent, the team’s depth and ability to overcome challenges suggest they can continue to compete at a high level.
Conclusion: While losing a player of Pietrangelo’s caliber is undoubtedly a blow, the Golden Knights’ defensive corps has demonstrated the capability to perform well without him, indicating that they likely remain a strong unit.
Pistol Pete
I can’t complain about this roster and I actually think there are some players in Henderson that have fairly near term NHL potential if there is room on the roster. Overall I am bullish for 2025-26!
Yup this is AI but is accurate/plausible imo:
Despite Pietrangelo stepping away from the team due to injury, the Vegas Golden Knights’ defense corps has shown resilience and a solid track record without him.
Evidence to support the effectiveness of the VGK defense without Pietrangelo:
Positive Record: The Golden Knights hold a impressive .718 points percentage without Pietrangelo.
Strong Goals Against: According to SinBin.vegas, the Golden Knights’ goals against per game is slightly lower without Pietrangelo (2.71) compared to when he is in the lineup (2.72).
Other Key Contributors: Even without Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights boast a strong defensive core featuring players like Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, and Zach Whitecloud, among others.
Proven Success: The VGK won the Stanley Cup in 2023 with Pietrangelo anchoring the blue line. While this is a testament to his talent, the team’s depth and ability to overcome challenges suggest they can continue to compete at a high level.
Conclusion: While losing a player of Pietrangelo’s caliber is undoubtedly a blow, the Golden Knights’ defensive corps has demonstrated the capability to perform well without him, indicating that they likely remain a strong unit.
Larry
I don’t want to have….: but….. I just have serious concerns about the Hertl line going into the season, I unfortunately see a total regression in goals and points along with a relative lack of quickness and speed which can be a major liability on the defensive front, I sure hope I am proven wrong. I’m a Hertl fan, always respected his play, but when his name popped up in rumored trades I was hoping it might be true so the team can get younger and faster.
Pistol Pete
McCrimmon absolutely shot down the Hertl and Karlsson trade rumors.
ThG
Larry, some times you need a big klutz in front of net. Remember Esposito and that russian player are huge and hard to get off the puck.
Emmanuel
PP: ‘72 Series? AlexYakushev I think?
Emmanuel
I agree Larry, there WILL be scoring regressions across the board.
PP: gotta disagree Pietrangelo is irreplaceable, maybe 5 players in the world with his two way skill set. I gotta bring this up again, LW is a mess, dont kid yourself. I like Barbashev but HUGE drop after that.
Larry
THg, I remember Fat Phil well as a member of the Bruins when they faced my Rangers, and even more sadly when he was a member of my rangers!!
The hockey God
The Cats did something that the VGK failed to do: keep a SC winning roster together and impact. And actually improve upon it bey bringing in veterans who actually won the cup before. Kudo’s to Zito and FO over there.
Larry
Agreed, essentially their core 10 players are signed through 2030!!
trade
Gm KM said at his press conference that he is not looking to add a dman presently. He said that Whitecloud will be moved up, to likely play with Hanifin, and Korczak will then apparently play on the 3rd pair.
trade
my guess is that by trade deadline time Vgk will be addding a topnotch right shot dman and a veteran backup goalie.
Emmanuel
This is the weakest VGK blueline ever maybe? Maybe first two years were kinda thin? As of now seems middle of the pack and you need a good blueline corps to shield the goalies.