Looking at the Vegas Golden Knights’ 5 restricted free agents

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 21: Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights prepares for a face off during the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 21: Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights prepares for a face off during the third period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 01: The Vegas Golden Knights take the ice prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena on April 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 01: The Vegas Golden Knights take the ice prior to a game against the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena on April 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /

We continue our deep dive on the offseason today by taking a look at the cluster of restricted free agents the Vegas Golden Knights have on their books.

The Vegas Golden Knights enter a busy and arguably pivotal offseason with five players set to become restricted free agents.

Headlining this list is of course star center William Karlsson, who we did a deep dive on a couple of days ago in regards to why it is crucial the two parties reach an agreement on a long-term extension.

We will now look at the other restricted free agents and give our verdicts on their long-term futures with the Golden Knights.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 23: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 23: William Karlsson #71 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the third period against the Detroit Red Wings at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

William Karlsson – Forward

Let’s get this one out of the way first.

As already mentioned, we have already gone in-depth about what the Vegas Golden Knights should do with one of their faces of the franchise.

Karlsson has been lights out for the Golden Knights since being selected in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, tallying 78 points (43 goals, 35 assists) in 2017-18.

His offensive production did dip somewhat this year with 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points, but he has already proven himself as an elite two-way center in the NHL who, at 26 years of age, still has his best hockey ahead of him.

As a result, that could result in Karlsson seeking a deal worth in the region of $6-7 million per year. To facilitate that, however, the Golden Knights will have to get creative with their payroll given the fact that they are already pressing right up against the projected $83 million salary cap for 2019-20.

That would almost certainly involve trading away some assets and shedding a couple of unrestricted free agents, a list which potentially includes fans’ favourites Ryan Reaves and Deryk Engelland.

It would be a price worth paying though when you consider that another arbitration deal would cast serious doubt on Karlsson’s long-term future in Sin City.

Put it simply, coming to terms on a new long-term contract with Karlsson this summer is in the best interests of the Vegas Golden Knights and I believe it will get done.

LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 29: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Malcolm Subban (30) blocks the puck during a regular season game against the Minnesota Wild Friday, March 29, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 29: Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Malcolm Subban (30) blocks the puck during a regular season game against the Minnesota Wild Friday, March 29, 2019, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Malcolm Subban – Goaltender

Malcolm Subban’s sample size of work with the Golden Knights is an interesting one.

During some stretches he has been almost unstoppable, winning seven of nine starts in the latter stages of 2018-19, but he can also be exposed on other occasions and a severe lack of consistent ice time can perhaps disrupt his focus.

He also has an alarming habit of letting in goals that should be routine saves and he had a shocking .885 save percentage during a five-game stretch towards the tail end of the year.

And that is the biggest issue facing the Golden Knights going forward. Subban is now a restricted free agent and, at 25-years of age, he will have his sets set on winning a starting job soon.

With Marc-Andre Fleury under contract through the 2021-22 season, Subban will have to bide his time to take over the throne if he indeed wants to become a starter in Vegas.

If not, then the Toronto native may well choose to test the waters of free agency and see what is out there in terms of potential starting jobs in the NHL.

In the meantime Vegas have themselves a more than capable of backup who, with a salary cap hit of $650,000, comes cheap and is a significant upgrade on the other two netminders on the depth chart in Oscar Dansk and Max Lagace.

Expect to see Subban as Fleury’s deputy once again in 2019-20 but what happens beyond that is anyone’s guess.

SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks faces off with Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks faces off with Tomas Nosek #92 of the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Tomas Nosek – Forward

Tomas Nosek has been a useful addition to Vegas’ bottom-six forward group since being acquired in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft.

He is more of an SUV rather than a Rolls Royce – dependable and resilient as opposed to flashy and elegant.

Nosek is a no thrills type of player although he can come up clutch when needed, as demonstrated in the 2017-18 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The left-wing was brilliant down the stretch for the Knights last year and finished 17-18 with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) and he was expected to take a step forward this season.

But Nosek was unable to take a giant leap forward and he could only increase his points total by two points (17) in 68 games.

At 6’3″ and weighing in at 210 lb, Nosek is your typical fourth line grinder and he won’t be in line for a huge payday given his role. He could well go down the route of arbitration but, given Vegas’ salary cap issues, it could make more sense for player and team to part company altogether.

Related Story. Unrestricted free agents: To sign or not to sign?. light

Nikita Gusev – Forward

Considered by many within the Vegas Golden Knights’ organization as one of the jewels in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, Gusev is considered an elite prospect who can make a big impact for this team for years to come.

Yet to make his NHL debut, Gusev was brought over to Vegas in April 2019 in order to burn the final year of his entry-level deal, with the player giving back bonuses and contract incentives to SKA St. Petersburg in a bid to get to the NHL quicker.

That should give you a sure fire sign that the Golden Knights will pen Gusev to a long-term deal either before or when he becomes a restricted free agent on July, 1, and he should be an interesting story to watch unfold during training camp.

The 26-year-old left-wing, who was acquired from Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for a second round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft and a fourth round selection in the 2018 NHL Draft, led the KHL in points with 82 (17 goals, 65 assists) this year for SKA, 13 points ahead of the player with the second-most points, the largest margin since the Dallas Stars’ Alexander Radulov in 2010-11.

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 6: Jimmy Schuldt #4 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck during his NHL debut in the first period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 6: Jimmy Schuldt #4 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck during his NHL debut in the first period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on April 6, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Jimmy Schuldt – Defenseman

Schuldt was hot property when he left St. Cloud University in April with a reported 29 other NHL teams chasing his signature.

However, the ultra talented blueliner opted to sign a one-year entry level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, going on to make his NHL debut against the LA Kings in the regular season finale.

He marked his introduction to the big time in style too, getting a primary assist on Valentin Zykov’s goal with a sublime dish.

Schuldt was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award and he led all defensemen in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) with 35 points (ten goals, 25 assists) to help lead the Huskies to a regular-season conference title.

Next. Karlsson stay biggest priority. dark

Schuldt, who never missed a game in his collegiate career and was the only player to be a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in both 2017-18 and 2018-19, is highly-rated by the Vegas brass and should be awarded a long-term deal this summer.

He adds to the glut of young studs on the blueline that the Knights have in the system and he could get more of an opportunity to shine in the NHL in 2019-20.

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