The Vegas Golden Knights are staying busy this trade deadline. News came down Thursday afternoon that they’ve made the Noah Hanifin extension happen. Former NHL goalie and current insider Kevin Weekes broke news on the contract. The deal is reportedly for eight years at a total of $56 million. It works out to an average cap hit of $7 million and runs through the 2030-31 season.
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@StanleyCup Champ @GoldenKnights are still all in on improving their roster ; still in the trade market, and wouldn’t be surprised to see them agree to an 8 Yr Contract Extension in the neighborhood of 7M AAV with newly acquired D Hanifin from @Flames. #HockeyX #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/ka31VS1bdS— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) March 7, 2024
Golden Knights Ink Noah Hanifin Extension
Hanifin has played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames and was recently acquired by the Golden Knights. The Boston native was picked up in a three-way trade involving the Flames, Golden Knights and Philadelphia Flyers. Both the Flames and the Flyers retained salary in order to make the deal become salary-cap compliant.
The 27-year-old has 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points in 61 games so far this season. Hanifin has a Corsi for of 49.5 and a relative Corsi of -2.4. He has 60 goals and 214 assists for 274 points in 659 career games. Carolina originally drafted the big defenceman in the first round, fifth overall of the 2015 NHL Draft. The blueliner played one season at Boston College before signing his entry-level contract.
Hanifin has represented his native United States at a number of levels. He’s been part of teams at the Under-17, Under-18, junior and senior level. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2018.
What It Means
Vegas is the land of high-rollers and signing Hanifin is just a continuation of that. The Golden Knights adding Hanifin and inking him to an extension. This group has always had a solid defensive group, but adding Hanifin shores that up.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon will likely have to part with some pieces at the end of the season. However, the Knights are going all-in as you do in Sin City. Landing Hanifin is a monster move for a team looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champion.
Main photo by: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
