Possible Destinations For Golden Knights’ Pending UFAs
The Vegas Golden Knights have six pending UFAs entering this offseason, and they will be unable to renew all of them, leaving their futures uncertain.
The Vegas Golden Knights have six pending UFAs entering this offseason, and they will be unable to renew all of them, leaving their futures uncertain.
Michael Amadio, William Carrier, Anthony Mantha, Jonathan Marchessault, Alec Martinez, and Chandler Stephenson all have expiring contracts, and the Golden Knights have approximately $6,772,516 in cap room to resign any of their UFAs.
Michael Amadio
On October 30, 2021, the Golden Knights claimed Amadio off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. He signed a contract earning $762,500, the league minimum. Amadio finished the season with 14 goals and 27 points in 73 games. The 28-year-old has spent the majority of his career moving up and down the AHL and NHL. He’s a solid middle-six player with attacking potential. Amadio is still in his prime years, and teams eager to improve the middle of their lineup might pay him $2-3 million. Amadio could be an option for the Calgary Flames.
William Carrier
Carrier suffered with injuries all season, but he possesses the ability required to be a solid bottom-six player. His pace gives him a threat on penalty kills and in five-on-five situations. The 29-year-old earned $1.4 million and scored six goals and eight points in 39 games. Carrier’s likely destination may be the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are always trying to add speed to their bottom six. The Lightning have five UFAs and may try to shake things up following a poor postseason.
Antonio Mantha
Mantha never found his groove with the Golden Knights and was a healthy scratch for four consecutive postseason games. He was acquired from the Washington Capitals and played 18 games for the Golden Knights, recording three goals and ten points. At 29 years old, Mantha will most likely try to sign a multi-year contract and earn as much money as feasible. The San Jose Sharks and Utah Jazz could try to acquire a good shooter to their young rosters.
Jonathan
Jonathan Marchessault
The most important decision the Golden Knights must make is what to do with Marchessault. To bring him back, they’ll need to make moves to free up salary cap room. Many respectable websites predict Marchessault will earn more than $7 million in the open market. Marchessault’s affection for Vegas and the organisation may lead to him accepting a discount, but the Golden Knights will still need to relocate current roster members. GM Kelly McCrimmon has frequently stated that his first priority this offseason is to resign Marchessault. If the Golden Knights fail to resign him, the Detroit Red Wings may be interested in him.
Alec Martinez
The Golden Knights would love to keep Martinez just because of his presence in the locker room. Unfortunately, at his age, his performance has deteriorated. This season, he was a step slow at times, but he was still an excellent player. Teams with a tight salary cap looking for an experienced defenseman will be all over Martinez at the outset of free agency. Martinez is set to sign a one-year contract paying roughly $1 million. A reunion with the Los Angeles Kings, as well as teams like the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils, might benefit from his experience on the blue line.
After Marchessault, Stephenson may be the most sought-after free agent on the Golden Knights. The 30-year-old can play wing or centre on any of the top three lines, combining speed and talent. This season, he has 16 goals and 51 points in 75 games. Stephenson was excellent for the Golden Knights during last year’s Stanley Cup run, but has struggled to be effective in subsequent seasons. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs, if they have cap room, will most likely be interested in signing the Canadian forward. They’ll have to offer Stephenson a contract costing about $5-6 million.
In a perfect world, the Golden Knights would resign each player and restart with the lineup they had hoped for. Injuries and an inability to create chemistry before the playoffs contributed significantly to the Golden Knights’ early demise.
Be sure to bookmark THN’s Vegas Golden Knights webpage for the latest news, exclusive interviews, analysis, and much more.
