Noah Hanifin #15 of the Vegas Golden Knights
In a significant move, the Vegas Golden Knights have finalized an eight-year contract extension with defenseman Noah Hanifin, as officially announced on Thursday. The deal, reportedly valued at $7.35 million annually, has been confirmed by Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic.
According to Chris Johnston, the extension for Hanifin is structured with front-loaded payments and includes signing bonuses, totaling just under $30 million over the initial three seasons.
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The breakdown of the contract, as detailed by LeBrun, is as follows:
– 2024-25: $1 million base salary, $8.5 million signing bonus
– 2025-26: $1.6 million salary, $7.9 million signing bonus
– 2026-27: $2 million salary, $7.5 million signing bonus
– 2027-28: $2 million salary, $5.5 million signing bonus
– 2028-29 to 2031-32: Consistent $5.7 million salaries
This significant move follows the Golden Knights’ headline-making acquisitions at the trade deadline, including Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals and Hanifin from the Calgary Flames. These strategic moves bolster the team’s strength as they prepare for the postseason, despite recent struggles. Since joining Vegas, Hanifin has showcased his value with nine points in 16 games.
Recognized as a top-pairing defenseman, Hanifin boasts a well-rounded skill set, making him an asset with minimal weaknesses on the ice.
By securing Hanifin’s extension, the Golden Knights successfully avoid the uncertainty of his potential free agency. While initial speculation suggested Hanifin might explore options with Eastern Conference teams like the Florida Panthers or Tampa Bay Lightning, he ultimately opted for a long-term commitment with Vegas. As a pending unrestricted free agent, Hanifin was poised for a lucrative contract, which he secures with Vegas, a move that benefits from the absence of state taxes.
