Golden Knights sign defenseman Shea Theodore to a 7-year extension

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Vegas Golden Knights made Shea Theodore their second highest-paid defenseman Thursday, signing him to a seven-year contract worth an average of $7.425 million per year.

Theodore's deal is valued just above fellow blueliner Noah Hanifin's $7.35 million average. Hanifin in April, about a month after being .

Another defenseman, 34-year-old Alex Pietrangelo, has an average salary of $8.8 million on a deal that runs through 2026-27.

The 29-year-old Theodore is in his eighth season with the Golden Knights. He leads Vegas defensemen with seven points through six games and is the franchise all-time leader among that group with 296 points. Theodore is plus-65 for his career in Vegas.

Locking up Theodore answers one of the team's key roster questions because he would have been a free agent after the season.

“I'm excited to be here another seven years and really solidify this place as home,” posted on the team's X account.

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This story has been corrected. A previous version reported erroneously that Theodore was the Golden Knights' second highest-paid player. He is the second highest-paid defenseman on the team.

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