Shea Theodore continues making a case for a contract extension

It's tough to ignore certain things in life. For example, one can't forget Shea Theodore and the Vegas Golden Knights getting off to a 3-0-0 start. Led by third-star forward Jack Eichel, Vegas has thrust themselves back into the forefront of the NHL discussion. While the talk has been around the top line's effectiveness, people have forgotten about the "Golden Misfit."

Why would you forget about him? Theodore has four assists in his first three games, serving as a crucial piece to the Golden Knights offense. That's tied for third in the NHL, joining the likes of Mark Stone, Connor Bedard, and Evgeni Malkin. That's some excellent company for a forgotten defenseman to be in.

Theodore's hot start comes with a caveat: He's in the final year of his current seven-year, $5.2 million AAV deal. The Golden Knights will have other names to worry about, including Eichel's upcoming deal. If the superstar forward continues his torrid pace, his impending deal will take priority over the defenseman's, leaving Theodore to search for a new home.

But Kelly McCrimmon can't ignore those cries for much longer. Vegas could have one of the best offensive-minded blue lines in the NHL for years. It could help the franchise run the attack more fluently, keeping their opponents on their toes. That's something which could bring another Stanley Cup to Las Vegas, bringing the party back to Toshiba Plaza.

Comparing the Shea Theodore situation to Jonathan Marchessault's

The Vegas Golden Knights heavily discussed bringing back Jonathan Marchessault until he retired last summer. It seemed like a happy ending was in order, with even the money locked down. However, there was one small problem: The contract length. The winger wanted five years, which would've put him close to his 40s before it ended.

Now, Theodore should fetch a sizable deal that will be worth more. After all, who doesn't want a puck-moving defenseman? However, there are some good reasons why Kelly McCrimmon should bite on giving him a contract as opposed to his fellow "Misfit". That starts with his age, where Theodore is 29 years old. Compare that to Marchessault being 33 years old and the choice is obvious.

That coincides with the blue-liner being bigger than Marchessault (5'9", 185 lbs), standing at 6'2" and weighing 197 lbs. There's much more the Golden Knights can do with the "Misfit" compared to Marchessault, given that his defensive game won't fall off a cliff. On the other hand, the former Conn Smythe winner's defensive capabilities have deteriorated, only leaving him to shoot the puck.

Besides, Vegas can forge an excellent defensive group with Theodore locked in. He's shown he can play well with Alex Pietrangelo in the first three games, guiding each line through every contest. Adding more aggression to the attack will help all lines become more assertive, as proven by Brett Howden's first period goal on Sunday.

Can the Vegas Golden Knights keep Theodore?

Given Jack Eichel and Shea Theodore have gotten off to hot starts, it seems tough for the Vegas Golden Knights to retain both superstars. If Eichel builds off his strong start (NHL-leading seven points), the focus will shift towards re-signing the superstar forward. However, there should be reason to believe the defenseman should also return to the Golden Knights.

Vegas is projected to have $25,315,001 in salary cap space entering next season. It gives Kelly McCrimmon enough room to explore a potential extension and see where it goes. That cap space jumps to $38,950,001 entering the 2026-27 campaign. If the Golden Knights were to go all-in on their window, they could bump up Akira Schmid to the starting goaltender role and not retain Adin Hill.

Everything looks on track for another productive year for the "Original Misfit." If the Golden Knights have Eichel making the top line one of the NHL's best, they could face a tough scenario. That could also be challenging for McCrimmon if Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo evolve into one of the league's best defensive pairs. Whatever happens, fans will want an encore from the 29-year-old defenseman. Now that's something you can't forget.