Golden Knights GM McCrimmon Speaks About Marner, Signings

On Tuesday, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon met with the media. He addressed giving Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad identical one-year $2 million contracts.

“Reilly, for me, fit back in like a glove once he got back to Vegas,” said McCrimmon. “I think he has played his best hockey here. He surpassed my expectations when he got here last year… I think that we really are a better team with Reilly.

“The other part of it with Reilly is the leadership. That’s something that Reilly really brings to the organization. He was an alternate captain for many years… I think that he’s got such a level of respect from teammates that he really adds to our organization in that way.

“In the case of Brandon Saad… When we brought him in last year, he had other opportunities to go different places and wanted to go where he thought he could win. And that was exactly why he wanted to stay in Vegas. Those are really important players, really good signings for our team,” McCrimmon finished. “They’ll fill two really important chairs for our team.”

McCrimmon mentioned that the Golden Knights signed Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Brett Howden, Keegan Kolesar, and Adin Hill throughout the year. 

“When you turn your TV on today and watch the Free Agency signings, we’re glad not to be in that pool of players today,” said McCrimmon. “I think the additional money available to teams with salary cap growth and the lack of players in Free Agency has really led to some contracts that have been very high. It makes us appreciate that we’ve got these players under contract.”

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McCrimmon then spoke about the two trades the Golden Knights made over the last few days. He wished Nic Hague and Nic Roy well in their new situations.

“Nic Hague, a defenseman we drafted and developed… just continued to get better and better,” said McCrimmon. “He was an important player on our Stanley Cup team. I hope for great things for Nic Hague. I think he’s an unbelievable person, and I’m happy for him to get the contract that he got in Nashville.”

“Nic Roy is a player we really valued,” McCrimmon continued. “A player that we traded for as a young player, really developed well in our organization. He’s a good playoff player; he can move up and down the lineup. He’s a guy we won a Stanley Cup with.

“Nic gave us great competitive advantage as a fourth-line center,” finished McCrimmon. “We looked at him as a little bit of a luxury. We wanted to improve our team on the wings, the offense from our wingers, and Mitch Marner does that… I hope Nic Roy goes to Toronto and plays fantastic hockey.”

McCrimmon praised the two players the Golden Knights acquired from the Predators, calling them both ‘guys you can win with.’

“Colton Sissons is one of the best face-off men in the NHL,” said McCrimmon. “He’s an elite penalty killer, very well-defined and plays a very hard, direct style… And [he’s] a guy that I think really will help our team.

“Jeremy Lauzon is a very well-defined player,” stated McCrimmon. “He’s one of the most physical defensemen in the National Hockey League. He’s hard to play against… I think he’ll bring that ingredient to our defense.”

Finally, McCrimmon spoke about Mitch Marner. He explained why the Golden Knights prioritized a sign-and-trade over signing him in Free Agency.

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“The eighth year really helped us in terms of what the AAV might be for his contract,” explained McCrimmon. “We signed him to an eight-year contract at $12 million, which is $96 million. If it was a seven-year contract to get to $96 million, you’ve got an AAV of $13.7 million. With every signing that we make, with every decision that we make, it’s about building a team that can win the Stanley Cup.”

McCrimmon once again mentioned wanting to avoid Free Agency. However, he didn’t mention money. Instead, he understandably wanted to avoid competition.

“We wanted to avoid July 1,” McCrimmon reasoned. “We didn’t want to be in a position where it’s July 1, we’re making a presentation, and three or four other teams are making a presentation. You never know who can come out of nowhere to win the day.”

McCrimmon gushed about Mitch Marner, calling him ‘dynamic.’

“With Mitch Marner, we’re getting one of the best forwards in the National Hockey League,” said McCrimmon. “He’s an elite playmaker and a tremendous passer. Over his last four seasons, he’s averaged 30 goals and 100 points… He really adds to our team. He adds to our offense. It gives us another star at the forward position.”

McCrimmon acknowledged that the Golden Knights tried to trade for Marner in the past, but to no avail. The Golden Knights identified Marner as their top priority once it became evident he would hit Free Agency. He explained that they acquired Marner’s rights to get ahead of other potential suitors.

“We wanted to eliminate other teams and create a one-on-one relationship with his representatives in terms of trying to do a contract,” stated McCrimmon.

Marner Reopens Golden Knights’ Contention Window; Full Analysis

McCrimmon also took a shot at the lack of credibility around the league. 

“It’s shameful that I had to phone William Karlsson and say, ‘Karly, I’m sorry you’ve gotta go through this shit, you’re not for trade. Tomáš, relax, you’re not for trade.”

McCrimmon finished by addressing the situation Marner came from in Toronto. However, he scoffed at the idea that Vegas would be an ‘easier market to play in.’

“We have lots of pressure here,” McCrimmon began. “We internally have pressure on our team; we want to win. Our guys put pressure on themselves as much as players on any other team.

“I think that Toronto is a mega market, it’s a huge market,” acknowledged McCrimmon. “So there’s pressure there, he’s a local boy… He’s led every category for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs. They haven’t had the success that they wanted.”

McCrimmon stated that front offices ultimately dictate whether a team can win or not.

“It’s our job, as managers, to make sure that our team is good enough to win. We’ll surround Mitch with a good team,” McCrimmon finished. “If we win, we’ll win as a team; if we lose, we’ll lose as a team.”

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