Huge And Obvious Reasons Why Vegas Golden Knights Should Re-Sign Shea Theodore Long-Term
Let’s play devil’s advocate for Shea Theodore staying with the Vegas Golden Knights long-term. Why does it make sense?
Fans are speculating whether this will be Shea Theodore’s final season with the Vegas Golden Knights. He’s been the subject of numerous trade rumors this summer, compounded by the team’s challenging salary cap situation. His recent injury history adds to Kelly McCrimmon’s reluctance to offer him an extension. Gradually, the “Original Misfits” are fading from Las Vegas, with William Karlsson being the last remaining connection to the “old” era.
Given that the star defenseman has just welcomed a new child (congratulations, by the way!), this uncertainty adds to the difficulty. According to Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, discussions about a contract extension haven’t begun yet. This isn’t as concerning as it might sound, especially with Jack Eichel’s upcoming contract extension in mind. Why wouldn’t they consider retaining him long-term?
There are solid reasons for the team to re-sign this underrated defenseman. Theodore is a valuable offensive contributor, enhancing Vegas’s scoring capabilities. He leads the franchise with 48.2 point shares, a statistic comparable to baseball’s WAR. Given the significance of such metrics in baseball, fans should recognize the considerable impact he has. Here’s why the Golden Knights should look at keeping this “Original Misfit” as they aim for a championship.
Shea Theodore adds an extra element to the Vegas Golden Knights offense
Managing an offense is a challenging task. You need to navigate players moving in various directions while keeping an eye on the opposing defense. It’s a role that can overwhelm even the most skilled, but Shea Theodore excels at directing play, whether at even strength or during power plays.
Like Jack Eichel, Theodore has a knack for finding open teammates. He can generate and orchestrate scoring chances seemingly out of nowhere, outsmarting defenders with his sharp instincts. His offensive skills are what make him such an attractive defenseman, allowing him to function effectively as a complementary player in the attack.
This ability reduces the need for additional forwards, as he can step up and create offensive plays himself. This is partly why the Vegas Golden Knights haven’t pursued any major moves; why seek a player with potential when you already have a reliable playmaker on your roster? Theodore simplifies things for the team.
In summary, keeping one of the top defensemen in the NHL isn’t a bad strategy. Given that the Golden Knights have struggled with their power play throughout their history, it makes sense to retain the one playmaker who can make a difference. Plus, at 29 years old, he’s easier to keep around compared to an aging winger.
Reality might have something different in store for Theodore and the Golden Knights
Here’s the unfortunate reality, dear reader: the Vegas Golden Knights are strapped for cap space and have limited flexibility for making moves. With Jack Eichel signed for two more years, maneuvering becomes even more challenging. Luckily for them, Theodore is the only significant player set to become a free agent next season.
However, the recent news that the Golden Knights and Shea Theodore haven’t started contract extension discussions doesn’t inspire much optimism. Kelly McCrimmon is looking at a $ 5.2 million cap hit while considering how that figure could rise next summer. This creates a difficult situation for the franchise, especially with an “Original Misfit” involved. The organization is well-known for ensuring players stay true to their contracts.
Will this be the final season for the fan-favorite defenseman? That will remain to be seen until the end of next summer. What is clear, though, is that this standout blue-liner deserves genuine consideration for an extended stay in Las Vegas. At 29 years old and having recorded 37 assists in 47 games, he certainly catches the attention of both fans and the league.