On Wednesday, the Vegas Golden Knights announced an extension for defenseman Kaedan Korczak. The contract, beginning in the 2026\u201327 season, runs for four years with an average annual value of 3.25 million.<\/p>\n
The 6\u20194\u201d, 24-year-old right-shot defenseman played 40 games with the Golden Knights last season. He\u2019s played 77 career NHL games and has recorded one goal and 21 points.<\/p>\n
This extension sends a clear message that the Golden Knights see Korczak, not just as a full-time NHLer, but also as Alex Pietrangelo\u2019s replacement. Kelly McCrimmon said this during his press conference<\/a> on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI think the obvious candidate for more responsibility is Kaedan Korczak,\u201d McCrimmon said. \u201cHe\u2019s going to be an every-night player; we are really confident that he can be.\u201d<\/p>\n Alex Pietrangelo, who announced on Monday that he\u2019d be stepping away from hockey<\/a> to focus on his health, gave Korczak his vote of confidence.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was one of the things Alex [Pietrangelo] brought up,\u201d said McCrimmon. \u201cHe thinks [Korczak] is ready to be a really good NHL player for a long time, and so do we.\u201d<\/p>\n McCrimmon referenced Pavel Dorofeyev as a player who rose to the occasion when given more responsibilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes, you need that opportunity to take a step,\u201d said McCrimmon. \u201cYou have to be ready for it when the opportunity comes, or you don\u2019t get to keep it. But there\u2019s a little more opportunity back there [on defense] for some guys that I think will step into it.\u201d<\/p>\n This extension is a gamble, and only time will tell if it\u2019s a smart one. By signing him now, the Golden Knights are betting on Korczak big time.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are two ways this plays out. If Korczak plays well, this deal could end up looking like a steal. If not\u2026<\/p>\n FOR MORE GOLDEN KNIGHTS NEWS AND UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE, VISIT\u00a0VEGAS HOCKEY NOW<\/a>\u00a0AND LIKE OUR\u00a0FACEBOOK PAGE<\/a>.<\/p>\n FOLLOW US ON\u00a0\ud835\udd4f:<\/p>\n @VegasHockeyNow<\/a>
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