The Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on a four-year, $13 million contract extension with defenseman Kaedan Korczak, the club announced Wednesday.
The deal carries an average annual value of $3.25 million. Korczak is currently in the second year of a two-year contract with an AAV of $825,000.
The 24-year-old right-shot defenseman recorded 10 assists and a plus-15 rating in 40 games with the Golden Knights in 2024-25.
A former second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, Korczak has one goal and 21 points in 77 career games with the Golden Knights.
He made his playoff debut in Game 1 of the second-round series against the Oilers this past season, recording one shot, one hit and one block in 13:04.
General manager Kelly McCrimmon said in a press conference on Tuesday that Korczak will have an increased role with the team moving forward, particularly with Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injured reserve with what are likely to be career-ending injuries.
“I think the obvious candidate for more responsibility is Kaedan Korczak,” McCrimmon said, adding that the organization believes that Korczak can be a regular in the lineup.
Korczak’s extension, which kicks in next season and runs through 2029-30, reflects that faith.
In conversations regarding Pietrangelo’s future, McCrimmon said that the two discussed Vegas’ defense and that Pietrangelo expressed confidence in Korczak’s ability to step up. “That’s what [Pietrangelo] thinks has to happen,” McCrimmon said. “[Pietrangelo] thinks [Korczak] is ready to be a really good NHL player for a long time.”
McCrimmon also said that the plan is for Zach Whitecloud to move up in the lineup, which would leave the right side on the third pairing open for Korczak. He could skate with Jeremy Lauzon, who was recently acquired (along with forward Colton Sissons) from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Nicolas Hague and a conditional 2027 third-round pick.
Though Vegas is rumored to be pursuing one or two other defensemen in the trade market, the blue line is shaping up, with Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Noah Hanifin, Whitecloud, Lauzon and Korczak as the likely starters. Ben Hutton and Jaycob Megna are also signed for one and two years, respectively.
The Golden Knights also announced on Wednesday that they have signed defenseman Jeremy Davies to a two-year contract. Davies scored 11 goals and 48 points in 72 games with the AHL Belleville Senators last year.
Davies was drafted by New Jersey in the seventh round (No. 192 overall) in 2016. He has three assists in 23 career NHL games with the Predators and Sabres but will likely report to Henderson next season.