The 2024-25 NHL season is just a pair weeks outdated, however groups have already handed out some massive cash within the type of contract extensions. On Thursday, the Vegas Golden Knights made certain star defenseman Shea Theodore will not be going anyplace quickly.
The Golden Knights and Theodore have agreed to a seven-year extension value simply shy of $52 million. The deal kicks in at first of subsequent season, and Vegas will carry an annual wage cap hit of $7.425 million via the 2031-32 season.
Acquired by the Golden Knights in 2017, Theodore shortly grew to become an important a part of the blue line within the desert. In his seven-plus seasons with Vegas, Theodore has tallied 67 targets and 229 assists from the again finish. Within the Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup in 2023, Theodore totaled 13 factors in 21 video games whereas posting a plus-10 purpose differential at five-on-five, per Pure Stat Trick.
Theodore’s extension implies that the Golden Knights have their high three defenseman, together with Alex Pietrangelo and Noah Hanifin, signed via no less than the 2026-27 season. Vegas has loads of stability at a key place.
Because the contracts proceed to roll in all through the 2024-25 season, you may preserve observe of probably the most notable ones proper right here at CBS Sports activities.
5 extra years of Jake McCabe in Toronto
Since being acquired by the Maple Leafs in 2023, McCabe has supplied some stability on the Toronto blue line. The veteran defenseman strikes the puck effectively and may present some offensive help now and again as effectively, and the Leafs now have him locked up via the 2028-29 season at a median annual worth of $4.51 million.
Theodore remaining in Vegas long-term
The Golden Knights aren’t any strangers to creating daring strikes, and shelling out massive cash to keep up among the finest blue traces within the league definitely qualifies. Theodore has been one of the vital underrated defensemen within the league for some time, however beginning subsequent season, his paycheck will replicate his worth.
The Blues have locked up one in all their finest younger gamers via the 2026-27 season, and so they did so at an reasonably priced value. Neighbours, the No. 26 total decide within the 2020 NHL Draft, scored 27 targets in 77 video games final season. St. Louis is counting on Neigbours to be a key a part of their ahead group effectively into the longer term.
Jake Oettinger indicators eight-year extension with Dallas
Oettinger went via some struggles within the 2023-24 season, however he actually elevated his recreation within the postseason. In 19 postseason appearances, Oettinger posted a .913 save share whereas saving 4.1 targets above common, per Pure Stat Trick.
The Senators traded for Ullmark this offseason, and he’ll get a full-time workload for the primary time since he was acquired by the Bruins in 2021. Ullmark did win the Vezina Trophy in 2023, so he can carry out at an elite stage, however he’ll must do it extra typically in Ottawa.
Jeremy Swayman lastly will get his bag from Boston
It was a contentious offseason between Swayman and the Bruins with each side taking the negotiations public. Ultimately, Boston and Swayman have been lastly in a position to come to an settlement that retains among the finest younger goaltenders in a Bruins jersey for the foreseeable future.