Adin Hill has kept the Vegas Golden Knights afloat in recent weeks. Could there be a contract extension on the horizon for the netminder?
Kelly McCrimmon has had a productive season for the Vegas Golden Knights. First, "Original Misfit" Shea Theodore gets a new seven-year, $51.975 million deal on October 24. Then, Brayden McNabb, a fellow "Misfit", got a three-year, $10.95 million deal on November 15. Brett Howden followed suit with a five-year, $12.5 million deal a week later.
The general manager put the notion of no loyalty to rest, No longer were fans thinking of another "Misfit" getting a new country music deal in Nashville. Now, McCrimmon ensured nobody important was leaving in free agency next season. The core? Locked down. Fans? Faith restored or heightened.
But some noteworthy names are set to hit the open market next summer. First, there's Keegan Kolesar, a fourth-line enforcer who also adds offense to the bottom lines. Having a lower-line piece like Kolesar ensures the Golden Knights have a hard-hitting winger that forechecks well. The consensus is he deserves to be the next Golden Knights star re-signed.
Then, there's Adin Hill. The netminder is in the last year of his two-year, $9.8 million deal. The 28-year-old has a GAA of 2.64, a save percentage of .905, and two shutouts in 2024-25. That's good for a record of 12-4-2. Of course, that comes with having an explosive offense and power play. However, Hill has shown to be a reliable option for the Golden Knights in recent weeks.
So does he deserve a new contract from McCrimmon? Has he warranted enough attention to become a key piece for the Golden Knights? Believe it or not, there are some pros to keeping him around (I know, shocking). Here are the positives (and negatives) of bringing Hill back.
The pros of bringing Adin Hill back
Adin Hill can come back on a short-term deal with the Golden Knights. The salary cap is expected to rise heading into 2025-26 ($16.3 million estimated). They can lock up another deal at a cheaper price ($2.5-$3 million AAV), keeping him as one of two netminders for the Golden Knights.
That would leave a good transition option for a prospect like Akira Schmid or Carl Lindbom to take the reins. While Hill sticks around as a reliable option, he'll pass the torch to one of the younger prospects. Think of Brett Favre starting while Aaron Rodgers develops as a quarterback. The only difference is Hill isn't a diva who'll pass his role onto another diva.
His recent play also warrants some attention. Hill has a GAA of 1.73, a save percentage of .938, and a shutout in his last eight games. He has a record of 6-1-1 in that span, catapulting the Golden Knights to the top of the Pacific Division (39 points).
His postseason numbers are as impressive. In his past 19 games, Hill has a GAA of 2.09, a save percentage of .932, and three shutouts. There was a reason why Kelly McCrimmon held onto him during the offseason. Having your go-to goaltender for the long run is crucial, especially if you're looking for another Stanley Cup.
The cons of re-signing Adin Hill
While re-signing Hill does sound like a good option, the looming Jack Eichel extension is on the horizon. A potential deal that could reach $14 million AAV will single-handedly price Hill out of any chance of re-signing with the team. Why would McCrimmon extend his goaltender when he can retain his Hart Trophy candidate?
The netminder isn't in the best position to be re-signed, either. His improved play could price him out by driving up the AAV. If he falters and plays bad, that'll make McCrimmon's job of not retaining him much easier. Add in a solid season from Keegan Kolesar (six goals, four assists) and the priorities shift further from the goaltender.
While having the Calgary native around to mentor the younger prospects, that's also a double-edged sword. Being in the last year of your two-year deal makes you a lame duck, especially with Schmid waiting in the wings. Sure, the 28-year-old has been a reliable postseason netminder. However, McCrimmon prefers younger talent with more upside (see Pavel Dorofeyev).
The general manager not re-signing Marchessault is a perfect example. The 33-year-old winger had a career-high 42 goals last season, making him a good candidate for an extension. However, he was also smaller (5'9", 185 lbs.) and had a deteriorating defensive game. Therefore, a five-year deal would've become an albatross for the Golden Knights. While a Hill extension won't have the same effect, McCrimmon will certainly go for younger, cheaper talent. That's especially true if they don't have the injury history that Hill does.
The verdict
The talks of re-signing Adin Hill will get louder if he builds off his recent hot streak. He's become a key part of the Vegas Golden Knights sitting in first place in the Pacific Division. Therefore, Kelly McCrimmon will closely evaluate the plausibility of bringing him back for another stint.
But don't expect it to happen given the numerous circumstances. A career filled with injuries combined with younger prospects waiting in the wings and a looming Eichel extension will dampen the chances. When you have other priorities to focus on, you're left behind in the team's plans.
The Golden Knights have prioritized key players such as Theodore and McNabb. The two defensemen have proven their worth in the team's long-term plans, providing a solid backbone for the blue line. While Hill's improved play could warrant a discussion about sticking around long-term, the overwhelming amount of factors against him could prove otherwise.
