It is never easy to talk about teams that are still in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but it is part of the business. As we have seen, teams like the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are going on long playoff runs and have to deal with their free agents days before July 1st. A similar situation could arise with the Vegas Golden Knights, involving not only their pending unrestricted free agents but also their restricted free agents and players eligible for extensions.
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According to PuckPedia.com, the Golden Knights will have $4,625,000 in salary cap space next season. That is before Alex Pietrangelo returns to season-ending LTIR, which gives them an additional $8.8 million. That is roughly $13 million to extend Pavel Dorofeyev and Rasmus Andersson. Not to mention the other notable players that are free agents.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has his work cut out for him this offseason. But as we have seen over the years, Vegas is not afraid to make moves and move off contracts they feel will hold them back from getting better.
Gary Lawless, Vegas Golden Knights insider and radio colour commentator, joined TFP Hotstove and was asked what Pavel Dorofeyev’s next contract would look like. Lawless was playing coy and didn’t give much away other than that Dorofeyev wants to remain with the team for a long time.
Dave Pagnotta: “I know we’re all focused on the Western Conference final now, but crystal ball this for me if you can. Pavel Dorofeyev on his next AAV is?”
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Gary Lawless: “You have to talk to him and Kelly McCrimmon and his agent. He is a good player, he’s proven himself in the playoffs, and he’s important to the organization. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.
The other part of it is that Dorofeyev probably wants to play in Vegas for as long as he can. He’s got an opportunity to play with very good centerman in Vegas, and right now he’s playing with one of the very best, and it’s had a very positive impact on his game. Ask Jonathan Marchessault what it’s like when you get away from Jack Eichel.”
Dennis Bernstein: “Adin Hill. Sorry, Adin, sorry, you need to find that money somewhere.”
Ryan Paton: “$1.835 million, that’s what he’s at right now.”
After Lawless left the program, Ryan Paton, Dave Pagnotta, and Dennis Bernstein discussed how the Vegas Golden Knights could go about paying Dorofeyev.
Dave Pagnotta: “37 goals in the regular season this year. 35 goals last season. Playing a full 82 in 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 $10 million player, right?
Ryan Paton: “Show Me the Money, right?”
Pagnotta: “They’re gonna have to figure it out. DB, you kind of hinted it a tad. Adin Hill, 10-team, no-trade list, $6.25 million cap hit.”
Bernstein: “They’re not, the space, and if they’re going to sign Rasmus Andersson, what happens there?”
Pagnotta: “They have $4.625 million in cap space next season. Well, sorry, technically, yes, but then also you add an additional $8.8 million because of Alex Pietrangelo. So the $8.8 million basically, you’ve got to imagine that’s Dorofeyev?”
Bernstein: “Correct. Yeah, exactly.”
Pagnotta: “Or in an in and around that. So they’ve got about $4 million in cap space. I don’t think Rasmus Andersson’s getting $4 million bucks. They also have to; they need a fourth line, can’t play with just three lines. Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Colton Sissons, Cole Smith, all UFAs.”
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So the capologists for the Vegas Golden Knights will be working overtime to get free up the cap space necessary to sign everyone. Not to mention players like Mark Stone, William Karlsson, and Nic Dowd are eligible for extensions. Adin Hill might not be the only one to be traded this summer. Could Vegas turnaround and clear another $6.75 million in Tomas Hertl to open up some more cap space.
Even with their eye on the ultimate prize, the Vegas Golden Knights are looking ahead to make things work with Pavel Dorofeyev, Rasmus Andersson, and the other players needing 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 is not afraid of making the tough decisions.
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