Adin Hill signed a six-year, $6.25 million AAV contract extension with the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. The deal comes after the goaltender has had a remarkable season, posting a GAA of 2.53 and a save percentage of .906. Add in four shutouts on the season and that's worthy of getting a deal done.
The @GoldenKnights and goaltender Adin Hill have reached an agreement on a 6 year extension. $6.25 million AAV.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 14, 2025
It isn't the first extension that Kelly McCrimmon has signed this season. In fact, it's been a motif of sorts for the general manager. First, he signed Shea Theodore to a seven-year deal worth $7.425 million AAV on October 24. Then, he signed Brayden McNabb to a three-year contract worth $3.65 million AAV on November 15.
He also inked Brett Howden a week later for five years and $2.5 million AAV and Keegan Kolesar to a three-year, $2.5 million AAV deal on December 13. It shattered the narrative that the general manager would simply let players walk despite having productive seasons. Opposing fans (and Golden Knights fans) only needed to point at Jonathan Marchessault as a shining example.
So why Adin Hill? What makes him worthy of getting a contract extension done when there are solid goaltending prospects in the minor leagues? Believe it or not, it helps the goaltending situation immensely, giving Vegas a solid unit if done right. Let's break down why the 28-year-old got a deal done (and rightfully so).
Why Adin Hill was given a new deal with the Vegas Golden Knights
Hill has been a steady force throughout the 2024-25 season. He's averaging a GAA of 2.03 and a save percentage of .928 in his last seven games. The Calgary native's also known to go on a hot streak, with his December campaign as a shining example. Here, the netminder posted a GAA of 2.26 and a save percentage of .919.
Advanced statistics also tell a broader story of Hill's reliability. He's posting quality numbers in categories such as wins above replacement. It's a testament to how the team can't go far without the netminder around compared to, say, Ilya Samsonov (stats courtesy of MoneyPuck).
2024-25 stats | Goals saved above expected | Save % on unblocked shots | GAA above expected | Wins above replacement | Save % above expected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adin Hill | 13.8 | .958 | 0.36 | 2.30 | 0.0060 |
Without him, the Vegas Golden Knights don't get past the first round of the playoffs. Sure, there are some issues with his game. That includes a glove-side deficiency. However, it's better than the sporadic style from the opposite end that fans have seen throughout the season.
Hill is also reliable during the Stanley Cup playoffs
Hill is also a goaltender that can win you a Stanley Cup. Yes, you read that right. He can win you a Stanley Cup, as proven by his 2023 campaign. He posted a GAA of 2.17 and a save percentage of .932 (14 games started) that year, putting him in the running for the Conn Smythe. Of course, that also came with a miraculous save in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Saves like this are why Kelly McCrimmon couldn't simply let him go. The 28-year-old was also reliable in last season's playoffs, posting a GAA of 1.70 and a save percentage of .931. Where would the Golden Knights be if he wasn't starting in net?
What does that mean for other looming deals, i.e. Jack Eichel? Well, dear reader. The good news is the salary cap is expected to jump in the next couple of seasons. The upper limit for the 2026-27 season will be $104 million, giving McCrimmon plenty of wiggle room.
It's clear that Vegas is locking in with their core for the foreseeable future. Five pending free agents that were supposed to hit the open market were re-signed, ending any anxiety for the franchise. It also shows that McCrimmon believes in this group to win another Stanley Cup. That starts with Hill, who's ready to run it back with the Golden Knights.
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