A Fond Farewell To 5 More Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are going to look very different when the 2024-2025 NHL regular seasons begins in October. On the first day of NHL free agency, they lose five key members of the 2023 Stanley Cup Championship team that this city fell in love with.
Five Golden Knights Champions Depart On First Day Of NHL Free Agency
The Vegas Golden Knights started making roster moves last week during the NHL Draft. They sent forward Paul Cotter to the New Jersey Devils and goaltender Logan Thompson to the Washington Capitals on June 29th.
Monday July 1st was the first day of NHL free agency. Our team’s championship roster was gutted as five key members of the 2023 Stanley Cup winning squad departed for big contracts in other cities.
The most prominent name to leave was fan favorite and original Vegas Golden Knight, forward Jonathan Marchessault. According to NHL.com, the Conn Smythe winner goes to the Nashville Predators on a five year, $27.5 million dollar contract.
The Vegas Golden Knights attempted to re-sign three other forwards, but they each left for bigger or longer contracts. Center Chandler Stephenson goes to the Seattle Kraken, signing a seven-year contract for $43.75 million. Winger Michael Amadio signs with the Ottawa Senators for $7.8 million on a three-year deal.
Another original Vegas Golden Knight, hard-nosed forward William Carrier, also leaves Sin City on the first day of NHL free agency. He signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on a six-year deal. That’s per the article by Derek Van Diest on NHL.com.
The fifth member of that Stanley Cup winning squad to leave town is defenseman Alec Martinez. He signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks for $4 million.
Forward Anthony Mantha is also leaving Las Vegas, although he was not a member of the championship roster. He signed a one-year contract with the Calgary Flames.
It’s A Sad Situation For Vegas Golden Knights Fans, But It’s Just Business
As fans of the Vegas Golden Knights, it’s really tough to see some of our favorite players leave our beloved team. We become emotionally attached to these players, especially when they’ve brought us so much joy during all of their winning seasons.
But it’s all part of the business of professional sports. Players come and go. Team management is tasked with putting the best team on the ice, but they have to do it within the NHL salary cap.
On the other side of the coin, you cannot fault the players for wanting to sign long-term deals for big bucks. An NHL player’s career does not last forever. Many of the players leaving the Golden Knights are in their 30’s. They may likely be signing the final NHL contracts of their careers. They are each Stanley Cup champions, and that earns them respect from teams around the league. We can’t blame them for cashing in and wanting to take care of their families.
So, the Vegas Golden Knights’ roster will look very different come autumn. We’ll see how it looks once the dust settles a bit on free agency.
Now, feel free to scroll down for more content which may interest you.
Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Champion Must Haves
Stanley Cup Champions Hoodie
This hoodie says it all: 2023 Stanley Cup Champions. It features a subdued, classic look. Nothing outrageous. Just the fact that the Vegas Golden Knights are champs.
Women's 2023 Stanley Cup Champions Lace-Up V-Neck Long Sleeve
This is a great look for the ladies. Any lace-up shirt reminds me of “old-time hockey.” You get the Vegas Golden Knights shield emblem on the front, and a cool-looking “2023 Stanley Cup Champions” logo on the back.
Stanley Cup Champions Rally Cry Long Sleeve T-Shirt
The Vegas Golden Knights marketing team really did a fantastic job of selling the team’s Stanley Cup Playoffs rallying cry of “UKnight The Realm!” And then, once the team sipped from Lord Stanley’s chalice, our hometown heroes could proclaim that: “The Realm Is UKnighted!” This t-shirt keeps that championship boast alive all season long.
Black Golden Knights Championship Line Up Bootleg Style T-Shirt
You’ve seen the Stanley Cup championship photos all over social media. The team photo. The photos of each player skating with the coveted trophy. Even Conn Smythe trophy winner Jonathan Marchessault skating with his award. This t-shirt displays many of these photos in an eye-catching collage.
Vegas Knights Stanley Cup Ornament
You probably won’t wear this ornament, but you can if you want. However, it’s really meant to spruce up that Christmas tree. The full-color ceramic ornament features the likenesses of all your favorite Vegas Golden Knights players who went on that amazing run to capture the Stanley Cup. Plus, the championship trophy is set right in the middle of the ornament. Merry Christmas!
Men's Vegas Golden Knights 2023 Stanley Cup Champions Hat
We all watched our team celebrate their Stanley Cup championship on the ice, and on into the locker room. Here’s a charcoal adjustable hat that matches the one worn by Vegas Golden Knights players in the locker room while they were dousing each other with champagne.
Vegas Golden Knights 2023 Stanley Cup Champions Coffee Mug
Show your pride at work or at home by sipping your favorite beverage from this 15-ounce coffee mug which proclaims that your favorite hockey team are 2023 Stanley Cup Champions! It’ll always be a great time for a coffee break.
Please note that items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time we published this list. Have an idea for a fun theme for a gift idea list you’d like us to create? Drop us a line at shopping@bbgi.com.
Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC. Follow us: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram