Visit THN.com/free for a free issue with an annual subscription. Ivan Barbashev [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTk4OTkxOTE2NzY1ODE2Nzg4/usatsi_20887175.jpg] Ivan Barbashev At least one pending free agent of Vegas' championship squad is staying put. The Vegas Golden Knights [https://puckpedia.com/team/vegas-golden-knights] kept a key part of the gang together on Wednesday, agreeing to terms with forward Ivan Barbashev [https://twitter.com/GoldenKnights/status/1674163089498075136?s=20] on a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5 million. The deal ties Barbashev to Vegas [https://puckpedia.com/player/ivan-barbashev] through the 2027-28 season and keeps one of the presumptive top free agents off the open market ahead of July 1. It also came shortly after the Knights traded Reilly Smith [https://thehockeynews.com/news/golden-knights-trade-reilly-smith-to-penguins] and his $5-million cap hit to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Vegas' desire to keep Barbashev around doesn't exactly come as a surprise. The 27-year-old was a perfect fit with the Golden Knights after arriving from St. Louis at the trade deadline, finishing with 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points in 82 games -- including 16 points in 23 games in Vegas. Barbashev logged nearly 18 minutes in ice time per game with the Golden Knights, becoming a key member of their middle six and adding an element of physicality and forechecking prowess that was vital to their championship run. Barbashev only took his game to another level come playoff time, racking up a dazzling seven goals and 11 assists for 18 points in 22 games en route to his second-career Stanley Cup. With Barbashev now in the fold, the Golden Knights sit with about $2.7 million in remaining cap space to try to keep the rest of their roster intact.
