Vegas Goes All-In: Golden Knights Lock Up Braeden Bowman for Six Years

LAS VEGAS — The Vegas Golden Knights didn't wait around. They locked up Braeden Bowman on Thursday, signing the 23-year-old forward to a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $3.4 million, a deal that runs through the 2032-33 season.

It's a serious bet on a player who could be entering his first full season in Vegas. Bowman played 54 games for the Golden Knights last season, scoring eight goals with 18 assists. He also went off in the AHL with Henderson, putting up 26 goals and 36 assists in 34 games.

From Fill-In to Franchise Bet

Bowman got his shot early last season when captain Mark Stone was injured. He answered by scoring goals in three consecutive games and registering at least a point in five straight. That's how you force a front office to pay attention.

Now he wants to make the NHL his permanent home.

"That's my goal, to become a full-time player for the Knights," Bowman said Tuesday at the team's golf tournament. "I'm excited. I think the team is looking really good again. Obviously, Vegas always has a strong team. So I'm just trying to establish my identity on the team, and we'll see how it goes."

The Golden Knights are coming off a Stanley Cup Final run, losing to Carolina in six games. With Bowman signed long-term, Vegas is banking on his AHL scoring punch and NHL flashes turning into a full-time problem for the rest of the league.