Vegas signs Ivan Barbashev to major contract following significant trade!

The Vegas Golden Knights traded forward and original misfit Reilly Smith earlier on Wednesday in a cost-cutting move.
The transaction has allowed them to sign forward Ivan Barbashev to a five-year contract so the Russian player can stick around in Vegas to defend the Stanley Cup title.

The deal carries an annual average value of $5 million.

Barbashev turned out to be a prefect playoff addition to Vegas after he was acquired from the St. Louis Blues, where he was crowned champion as well in 2019. 

Once he was acquired by the Golden Knights, Barbashev recorded six goals and 10 assists in 23 contests.

In 410 career games with the Blues and Golden Knights, the Russian forward has scored 84 goals and added 110 assists in 433 games.

Great to see Barbashev staying put in Vegas with the rest of the club, but he'll probably have to thank Smith for clearing the cap space the Golden Knights needed to make it happen.

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