The Vegas Golden Knights have signed forward Braeden Bowman to a six-year contract extension, the club announced Thursday.
The deal, which kicks in at the start of next year, will carry an average annual value of $3.4 million through the 2032-33 season. Bowman has one year remaining on his current two-year contract with an AAV of $912,500.
The 23-year-old Ontario native made the most of a November call-up last year when captain Mark Stone went down and ultimately skated in 54 regular-season contests with the Golden Knights.
He was effective right out of the gate, and he was rewarded with reps on the top power play and top line. Bowman did his best to fill in for the injured captain on the man-advantage, and he began his NHL career with four goals in his first six games and five goals and 11 points in his first 15. His production eventually slowed, but he demonstrated great offensive instincts and rarely looked out of place.
The undrafted rookie finished the year with eight goals and 26 points, including two power-play tallies (both of which came in his first four games) and two game-winning goals. He matched that output with 12 goals and 26 points in 20 games last season with the Henderson Silver Knights under coach Ryan Craig, who will serve as Vegas’ bench boss starting this year.
Bowman’s last appearance came in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final in which he played 9:12; the Golden Knights were shut out, losing the series 4-2.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound forward has a real chance to earn a full-time gig at the NHL level this season, and this contract demonstrates Vegas’ confidence in the young winger. The $3.4 million cap hit for six years is a very team-friendly bargain, but Bowman will have to prove that he can be a versatile middle-six option.
Training camp is set to begin Sept. 17. Vegas’ season opener is Sept. 29 against Chicago.
Photo courtesy of the Golden Knights