Golden Knights ink veteran defenseman to $24 million contract

The Vegas Golden Knights are preparing for NHL Free Agency and have made some significant moves already. The Golden Knights traded Pavel Dorofeyev to the New York Rangers before the NHL Draft, for instance. And it seems as if the defending Western Conference champions are trying to make things happen.

However, their latest move is not a splash for a star on another team. The Golden Knights are signing defenseman Jeremy Lauzon to a contract extension, as first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger. Lauzon is receiving a six-year contract worth $24 million in total, carrying a $4 million annual average value.

Lauzon made his Golden Knights debut this season after being traded by the Nashville Predators last summer. He posted one of his best offensive seasons, recording a career high 12 assists for Vegas in 68 games. His efforts on the ice helped the Golden Knights return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Vegas went on quite the run, as well. Lauzon and the Golden Knights made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Final this year. Unfortunately, they ended up losing the Final to the Carolina Hurricanes, who won the Cup in six games.

Lauzon could have hit NHL Free Agency in less than 24 hours had he remained unsigned. In fact, he may have earned more than what he did on this contract with the Golden Knights. Instead, the veteran defenseman wanted to stay in Sin City. He will be in Vegas for the foreseeable future while getting paid a pretty penny for his services.