Henderson Silver Knights defenseman Brayden Pachal (94) warms up before the Silver Knights’ season opener against the Ontario Reign at the Orleans Arena Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.
Thursday, July 28, 2022 | 2:22 p.m.
The Henderson Silver Knights will have their captain back for next season, as the Golden Knights re-signed defenseman Brayden Pachal to a one-year deal on Thursday, the team announced.
Pachal’s new deal carries a cap hit of $750,000.
The 22-year-old blue liner was named the third captain in Henderson’s history this past season. Pachal has been with the Vegas organization since 2019-20 after taking part in rookie camp that fall and shortly signing a three-year entry-level deal in September 2019.
Pachal made his NHL debut in March, playing two games with the Golden Knights due to injuries and a COVID outbreak that impacted their defense. He had 11 points 65 games with AHL Henderson last season as the Silver Knights made the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Pachal was one of six restricted free agents that received a qualifying offer from the Golden Knights and is now the second — along with forward Jonas Rondbjerg — that has signed an extension with Vegas.
Forwards Nicolas Roy, Keegan Kolesar and Jake Leschyshyn, and defenseman Nicolas Hague, have yet to sign new deals. The Golden Knights cleared the necessary cap space to likely finish that point of business after trading Max Paciroetty and Dylan Coghlan to the Carolina Hurricanes on July 13.
The Golden Knights hope to finish those deals before training camp in September, but no significant progress has been made at this time.
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.