It’s never easy to talk about teams that are still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it’s part of the business. As we have seen, teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are running long playoff races and must deal with their free agents days before July 1st. A similar situation could arise with the Vegas Golden Knights, which includes not only pending unrestricted free agents but also restricted free agents and extension-eligible players.
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According to PuckPedia.com, the Golden Knights will have $4,625,000 in salary cap space next season. That’s before Alex Pietrangelo goes back to LTIR to end the season, giving them another $8.8 million in cap space. That’s roughly $13 million to extend Pavel Dorofeyev and Rasmus Andersson. Not to mention some outstanding players who are free agents.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon is serious about his career this offseason. But as we’ve seen over the years, Vegas isn’t afraid to make moves and get rid of contracts they feel will keep them from getting better.
Gary Lawless, Vegas Golden Knights insider and radio color analyst, joined TFP Hotstove and was asked what Pavel Dorofeyev’s next contract will look like. Lawless played coy and didn’t give much away except that Dorofeyev wants to stay with the team for a long time.
Dave Pagnotta: “I know we’re all focused on the Western Conference finals right now, but it’s a crystal ball for me if you can.
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Gary Lawless: “You have to talk to him and Kelly McCrimmon and his agent, he’s a great player, he’s proven himself in the playoffs, and he’s important to the organization.
Another part of it is that Dorofeyev probably wants to play in Vegas as long as possible. He got a chance to play with a very good middle player in Vegas, and right now he is playing with one of the best, and it has had a positive effect on his game. Ask Jonathan Marchessault what it’s like to move on from Jack Eichel.”
Dennis Bernstein: “Adin Hill. Sorry, Adin, sorry, you need to get that money somewhere.”
Ryan Paton: “$1.835 million, that’s what it is now.”
After Lawless left the show, Ryan Paton, Dave Pagnotta, and Dennis Bernstein discussed how the Vegas Golden Knights could afford to pay Dorofeyev.
Dave Pagnotta: “37 goals in the regular season this year. 35 goals last season. 82 total plays each year. Third round pick, 79th overall in 2019.”
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Dennis Bernstein: “Nine goals in the playoffs. 46 goals in total. That’s a ten million player, right?
Ryan Paton: “Show me the money, won’t you?”
Pagnotta: “They’re going to have to get it. DB, you’ve got a little hype. Adin Hill, 10-team, no-trade list, $6.25 billion.”
Bernstein: “They are not a vacancy, and if they are going to sign Rasmus Andersson, what happens there?”
Pagnotta: “They have $4.625 million in cap space next season. Sorry, technically, yes, but you also add an extra $8.8 million because of Alex Pietrangelo. So $8.8 million basically, you have to think that’s Dorofeyev?”
Bernstein: “Okay. Yeah, sure.”
Pagnotta: “Or in between. So they have about $4 million in cap space. I don’t think Rasmus Andersson is getting $4 million. They should; they need a fourth line, they can only play three lines. Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Colton Sissons, Cole Smith, all UFAs.”
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So the Vegas Golden Knights photo pros will be working overtime to free up the space needed to sign everyone. Not to mention players like Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Nic Dowd are eligible for extensions. Adin Hill may not be the only one for sale this summer. Could Vegas flip and clear another $6.75 million in Tomas Hertl to free up some cap space.
Even with their eye on the big prize, the Vegas Golden Knights are looking forward to making things work with Pavel Dorofeyev, Rasmus Andersson, and other players who need contracts. Again, for what Vegas gave up to get Andersson, they need to re-sign him.
But it won’t be easy to bring everyone back. And we know Vegas isn’t afraid to make tough decisions.
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