Golden Knights Sign Leschyshyn and Cotter to Extensions

The Vegas Golden Knights have announced a pair of three-year contract extensions, one going to Jake Leschyshyn and the other Paul Cotter.

Leschyshyn, 23, has agreed to a three-year, $2.3 million deal that will carry an average annual value (AAV) of $766,667. The Western Hockey League alumni, who was selected in the second round (62 overall) by the Golden Knights back in 2017, suited up for the first 41 games of his NHL career this past season, registering two goals and eight points. He also appeared in 34 games in the American Hockey League with the Henderson Silver Knights, recording 14 goals and 27 points.

Cotter, 22, has agreed to a three-year deal with the Golden Knights that will carry an AAV of $775,000. The young centerman was selected in the fourth-round (115 overall) of the 2018 draft by the Golden Knights and was able to suit up for his first seven NHL games this past season, during which time he scored two goals. He also appeared in 59 games with the Silver Knights where he managed 20 goals and 35 points.

Each of these two players has an outside shot of cracking the Golden Knights roster this season, something a strong training camp would go a long way in helping. Leschyshyn likely has the upper hand of the two going in, but there isn’t much separating either one of them. These were two solid moves by general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who will need to continue signing cheap deals similar to these as he attempts to try and fix the cap mess he is responsible for creating.