{"id":19683,"date":"2017-11-30T16:56:41","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T21:56:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=19683"},"modified":"2020-12-26T16:39:25","modified_gmt":"2020-12-26T21:39:25","slug":"golden-knights-extend-brayden-mcnabb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/11\/30\/golden-knights-extend-brayden-mcnabb\/","title":{"rendered":"Vegas Golden Knights Extend Contract of Brayden McNabb"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vegas Golden Knights<\/a> are clearly liking what they’re seeing from Brayden McNabb<\/a><\/strong>. McNabb has played top line minutes in Vegas, and leads the team in both hits and blocks. After 20 games, the 26-year-old defenseman has already halved his hit totals from last seeing, with 56 in the year. He is also only two blocks shy from his totals with the Los Angeles Kings<\/a> last season.<\/p>\n

The Knights rewarded McNabb with a contract extension. It was announced on Wednesday that the pending free agent signed a four year extension. The average salary is $2.5 million. While it is the priciest contract McNabb has ever had, it’s still an efficient signing for the Golden Knights.<\/p>\n

Vegas Golden Knights Extend Brayden McNabb’s Contract<\/h1>\n

The deal is just as attractive for McNabb, too. The Golden Knights selected McNabb from the Kings in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. With that pick, they were getting a big defenseman whose career high in points was only 24. McNabb was arguably a risky pick, especially considering players like Dustin Brown<\/a><\/strong>, Nick Shore<\/a><\/strong>, and Matt Greene<\/a><\/strong> were all available.<\/p>\n

The Knights picked McNabb though, possibly because of a unmentioned deal between the two teams. Either way, when McNabb came to Vegas he was quoted saying that he wanted to stay there for a while and be a large part of their future. This contract allows him to do just that.<\/p>\n

While McNabb has worked wonders defensively, his offensive stats don’t impress as much. He only has two points in his 20 games so far. He has been playing alongside Nate Schmidt<\/a><\/strong> more than half of the year, though. Schmidt has done a little better offensively, netting 10 points in 23 games.<\/p>\n

George McPhee<\/a>, Golden Knights general manager, talked highly of McNabb<\/a> after the deal was announced. “McNabb is a very good defensive defenseman. He’s got a long stick, and is good with his stick. He’s locked down some top opposing players for us and we hope he’s here for the rest of his career.” He went on to reemphasize McNabb’s performance thus far, and said the Golden Knights see a lot of potential in the D-man.\u00a0“We certainly hope McNabb will continue to grow, and be a solid, top-4 defender for us for a long time.”<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>