Defenseman Alec Martinez was the big addition for the Golden Knights at last year’s trade deadline, and he fit in quite well with his new team. Now, the 33-year-old is entering the final year of his contract and is eligible for an extension. For the time being at least, that doesn’t seem to be on the forefront, as he told reporters, including David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal:
"I think if the team’s successful, then individuals are successful. The business side will take care of itself. To answer your question if I put a whole lot of thought into it, no, I haven’t. I’m just trying to get ready for this year."
While Martinez has never been a big point producer, he has been an effective top-four shutdown defender for several years now. As a result, he should be able to land a raise in free agency on his current $4M AAV. The Golden Knights have only a little over $5M in cap room for next season with multiple roster spots to fill though, so they might have to get creative if they want to keep him in the fold.
More from the West Division:
- Sharks defenseman Radim Simek missed time with two separate knee issues last season, ultimately undergoing surgery. However, he told Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News that the pain was coming back while skating in the spring and continues to linger in training camp. Despite that, head coach Bob Boughner is confident that the 28-year-old will be good to go for opening night. Even so, the fact that these issues are persisting is hardly ideal considering Simek is in the first season of a four-year deal that was signed last March.
- While Colorado got goalie Philipp Grubauer plus wingers Gabriel Landeskog and Brandon Saad back at practice on Friday, defenseman Erik Johnson remains unfit to participate with no word yet on when he’ll be available, relays Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. Meanwhile, blueliner Keaton Middleton, invited to camp as a PTO player as he is only signed to an AHL contract, has left the team to seek a second opinion after failing his physical.
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