Two years since backstopping the Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup, Adin Hill has become their undisputed No. 1 goaltender.
Now he has the contract to show for it.
Hill on Friday signed a six-year extension worth $37.5 million. Rather than testing the market as an unrestricted free agent this summer, he will count $6.25 million against the salary cap from when the deal kicks in next NHL season through 2031.
“I wanted to stay in Vegas,” Hill said after practice in Buffalo. It’s what I wanted so I’m happy we got it done.”
This season at age 28, Hill has played in a career high 39 games and has a 2.53 goals-against average and .906 save percentage to help Vegas vault to the top of the Pacific Division. That included a 27-save shutout Thursday night at Columbus.
“I don’t know how many (games) exactly he’s going to start, but if you map it out he’s going to be close to 50,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “We thought at the start of the year, 48-ish, 49 would be about 60% (of the schedule), so we thought around there so he’s right there.”
Hill was a journeyman on his third organization with no playoff experience when he was thrust in net during the second round two years ago after injuries to Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit. He went 11-4 with a 2.17 GAA and a league-best .932 save percentage to deliver the first championship in franchise history.
“You think about the story that he comes in here two years ago from San Jose and what he’s been able to do for us and himself,” Cassidy said. "Big credit to the organization and specifically (goaltending coach) Sean Burke for the work he’s put in and for identifying that level of talent and what he thought he could be so we’re all happy.”
Hill, who backed up for Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off last month and is a candidate to be on the roster for the 2026 Milan Olympics, downplayed his season as “fine.” Another championship is his focus.
“You have the feeling of when you win, so that’s what you’re chasing again,” Hill said. "I feel like I’m always able to kind of compartmentalize and focus on what I need to focus on so it’s nice to have the contract done and it’s one less thing to worry about and now the goal is go win a Stanley Cup.”
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AP freelance writer Joe Yerdon in Buffalo contributed to this report.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
