It looks like the Vegas Golden Knights will be a contender in the Pacific Division for a long time to come.
On Thursday afternoon, they signed defenceman Shea Theodore to an extension worth an annual cap hit of $7.425 million over the next seven years.
Theodore started his career with the Anaheim Ducks, who selected him 26th overall in the 2013 draft. After two seasons, the Kraken picked him in the 2017 expansion draft, and he’s blossomed into one of their best players in franchise history.
The left-shot defenceman has three seasons with 10+ goals under his belt since arriving in Vegas, with a career-high of 14 goals and 52 points in 78 games during the 2021-22 season. Last season was his best pace for points, scoring five goals and 42 points in 47 games, but missing a large chunk of the season due to injury.
So far in 2024-25, Theodore has a goal and seven points in six games for the Golden Knights.
William Karlsson makes his debut on Saturday
Of the 30 players the Vegas Golden Knights drafted in the expansion draft in 2017, only three “original misfits” remain. Theodore, as discussed, is one, but so is Brayden McNabb and William Karlsson. It’s expected that the latter will make his season debut on Saturday.
Karlsson was selected by the Anaheim Ducks back in the second round of the 2011 draft but was with the Columbus Blue Jackets when the Golden Knights picked him in the expansion draft. In 2015-16 and 2016-17, Karlsson had just 15 goals in 162 games but potted a career-high 43 goals and 78 points in his first season with the Golden Knights.
Last season, he scored 30 goals and 60 points in 70 games and had 11 goals and 17 points in the 2023 postseason as the Golden Knights won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Chad Ruhwedel placed on waivers
On Thursday, the New York Rangers placed Chad Ruhwedel on waivers.
The Rangers acquired the 34-year-old right-shot defenceman before the 2024 trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins but has only played six games since joining the 2023-24 Presidents’ Trophy winners.
He’s played for the Buffalo Sabres, Penguins, and Rangers in his career, scoring 13 goals and 49 points in 365 games. Moreover, he’s played 25 postseason games, including six during the 2017 postseason where he won his only Stanley Cup.
Anthony Duclair is out for four to six weeks
Sticking with teams in the New York area, the New York Islanders will be without forward Anthony Duclair due to a lower-body injury sustained in a game against the Montréal Canadiens on Saturday.
In the summer, Duclair signed a four-year deal worth $14 million, or $3.5 million annually. Over the course of his career, the left winger has played for the likes of the New York Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, and Tampa Bay Lightning.
Last season, he spent time between the Sharks and the Lightning, scoring 24 goals and 42 points in 73 games, down from the 31 goals and 59 points he scored with the Panthers in 2021-22.
Since joining the Islanders, he has two goals and three points in five games.
If you enjoy my content, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.