More bad news for the Golden Knights’ blue line

First Schmidt and now this! Tough break for the NHL’s newest franchise.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
More bad news for the Golden Knights’ blue line
Zuma Press

It’s been a whirlwind first offseason for fans of the Vegas Golden Knights… fitting given that the NHL’s 31st franchise took the league by storm in its first calendar year. After first seeing star players like James Neal and David Perron leave via free agency, Vegas general manager George McPhee went out and acquired replacements, upgrades even, by signing Paul Stastny and trading for Max Pacioretty.

McPhee inked sniper William Karlsson to a one year “show me” deal and inked veteran goaltender Marc Andre Fleury to a three year extension. Of course, it hasn’t been all “hunky dory” for the Golden Knights this offseason. Defenseman Nate Schmidt was suspended 20 games by the NHL after testing positive for a banned substance and his absence creates a GIANT hole in the team’s defense corps. It also doesn’t help that up and coming blue liner Shea Theodore is reportedly at a stand still with McPhee in contract negotiations. 

Check out this report on Theodore courtesy of Sportsnet’s John Shannon:  

Morrissey done. Nurse done. Makes you think Shea Theodore might be close? 
Source familiar with negotiations says VGK and Theodore are NOT close to a deal.

Ouch… that’s not good. With Schmidt out of the lineup and with Theodore potentially sitting out to start the season, that’s a combined 65 points gone from Vegas’ defense corps. The 23 year old Theodore looks poised to break out BIG TIME in 2018-19 after a six goal, 29 point performance in just 61 games during 2017-18. With Schmidt serving his suspension to start the upcoming season, it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see Theodore hit 40 points. Again… if they can’t lock up this kid… well let’s just say they’ll regret not landing Erik Karlsson even more…

Like Shannon reports, both Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers re-upped with their clubs this season. Morrissey inked a two year, $6.3 million deal yesterday afternoon, while Nurse signed a nearly identical two year, $6.4 million deal just today. It certainly seems like the blue print for a bridge deal is in place for Theodore... whether or not he and the Golden Knights can come to terms though remains to be seen.  

Source: John Shannon