Six Golden Knights depart on first day of NHL free agency

By Jack Williams (contact)

Monday, July 1, 2024 | 12:12 p.m.

The expected mass exodus of free agents commenced for the Golden Knights on Monday.

All six of Vegas’ unrestricted free agents left the organization to sign with different teams.

Jonathan Marchessault’s deal with the Nashville Predators was the biggest news, but he won’t be the only contributor the Golden Knights are looking to replace.

A fellow “Original Misfit” is also on the move as depth forward William Carrier signed a six-year deal worth $2 million annually with the Carolina Hurricanes. Carrier previously had a $1.4 million cap hit with the Golden Knights.

Veteran defenseman Alec Martinez signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Chicago Blackhawks after five seasons in Vegas where he came following a trade with the Los Angeles Kings.

Martinez was making $5.25 million annually with the Golden Knights.

Ironically, one of Martinez's shining career moments is scoring the game-winning overtime goal against the Blackhawks in Game 7 of the 2014 Western Conference Final for the Kings. He'd also score the Stanley Cup-winning goal in overtime that same year.

Forward Chandler Stephenson was the last UFA to leave Vegas, signing a seven-year deal worth $6.25 million annually with the Seattle Kraken. Stephenson also spent five seasons in Vegas after being acquired via trade from Washington.

Stephenson had been one of Vegas’ best value contracts at $2.75 million annually.

Forward Michael Amadio also departed on Monday, signing a three-year, $2.6 million contract with the Ottawa Senators. He spent the last three seasons in Vegas.

Amadio was making a near-minimum salary with the Golden Knights at $762,500 per year.

The final UFA leaving is forward Anthony Mantha, who failed to make much of an impact and was benched in the playoffs after Vegas acquired him at this past season’s trade deadline. Mantha signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Calgary Flames — a decrease from the $5.7 million he was making on his previous deal.

Non-roster goaltender Jiří Patera was picked up by the Vancouver Canucks on a one-year, two-way contract with a yearly cap hit of $775,000. He played six games with the Golden Knights, posting a .893 save percentage and a 3.98 goals against average. With the Henderson Silver Knights, he played 25 games, holding a .903 saver percentage and a 2.99 goals against average. Patera had a yearly cap hit of $800,000 with Vegas. 

One player fans can expect to see back with the Golden Knights is Pavel Dorofeyev, a restricted free agent. He was extended a qualifying offer by the Golden Knights.

Dorofeyev broke out last season with 13 goals and 11 assists in 47 games. He was previously making $825,000 per season.

Vegas did add a few players through free agency, including what will likely be its backup goaltender. Ilya Samsonov signed a one-year contract with the Golden Knights. Last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs he had a .890 save percentage and 3.13 goals against average. Samsonov had a 23-7-8 record, picking up three shutouts. 

He fills a gap left by Logan Thompson, who was traded to the Washington Capitals on Saturday. 

The Golden Knights also signed Detroit forward Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000, which is the same amount he made with the Red Wings. Aston-Reese played only three games with Detroit this past season. He played 61 games with the Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gryphons, recording 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points. 

Philadelphia Flyers forward Tanner Laczynski was signed by the Golden Knights to a 2-year contract worth $775,000 per year. He spent the entire season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers AHL affiliate, recording 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points over 49 games. Laczynski had a yearly cap hit of $762,500 with Philadelphia. 

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