Knights forward signs 5-year extension after ‘whirlwind’ day

A contract extension was waiting for the forward after the game.

Howden didn’t think a new deal was coming so soon after the 3-2 victory, in which he scored his eighth goal of the season to continue an impressive start. But the Knights were ready to strike. They signed Howden to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million, the team announced Friday.

“Last night was a bit of a whirlwind,” Howden said in an interview posted on the Knights’ X account. “I was just super excited to tell my family.”

General manager Kelly McCrimmon said he began talking with Howden in late October, then worked with agent J.P. Barry throughout November to get something done.

Fresh start

The deal shows how far the 26-year-old has come.

Howden, a 2016 first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning, was first acquired by the Knights in July 2021 from the New York Rangers for defenseman Nick DeSimone and a fourth-round pick. He scored 49 points in 178 games and was a minus-29 in his time with the Rangers.

It was the second trade of Howden’s career. He was the key prospect the Lightning sent to New York in a deal for defenseman Ryan McDonagh and center J.T. Miller in February 2018.

The roster around Howden changed soon after. The Rangers picked right wing Kaapo Kakko second overall in the 2019 NHL draft, then selected left wing Alexis Lafreniere first overall in 2020.

That made it tough for Howden to stand out in a group full of talented, young forwards.

“You’re a young guy in New York, trying to find your way,” McCrimmon said. “There’s only a certain number of chairs available now.”

The Knights still felt Howden was a player to bet on.

He’s become a regular in the team’s lineup the past four seasons, scoring 61 points in 193 games while being plus-1.

“Based on our trust in him, I think he got his confidence back and has shown steady improvement since he got to Vegas,” McCrimmon said.

Howden was also a huge part of the Knights’ run to a Stanley Cup championship in 2023. He scored 10 points in 22 games that postseason skating with captain Mark Stone and center Chandler Stephenson.

“Getting the chance to start somewhere fresh and new was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me,” Howden said. “Coming to a new spot and a winning culture, as well, it really helped me change my game.”

Howden is off to the best start of his career this season.

His eight goals are tied for the second-most on the Knights with left wing Ivan Barbashev. He’s just one away from matching his career high.

Howden’s versatility has also been a huge boost for the Knights. He started the season at fourth-line center, but has since shifted to second-line left wing. He can play up and down the lineup depending on what the team needs.

“I just think over the years I’ve built more confidence and I’m surrounded by such great players that it’s easy to learn from (them) and easy to play with (them),” Howden said. “I just feel very grateful I was given the opportunity to come here.”

Wanting to stay

Howden is the third pending unrestricted free agent the Knights have signed to an extension this season. Defenseman Shea Theodore got a seven-year, $51.975 million deal Oct. 24. Defenseman Brayden McNabb inked a three-year, $10.95 million contract Nov. 15.

It’s rare for the Knights to get so many deals done in-season in a short amount of time. But all three players wanted to stay and McCrimmon wanted to keep them around.

McCrimmon said these announcements don’t come out of nowhere. The team typically negotiates with pending free agents throughout the season and tables discussions by the trade deadline if an agreement isn’t reached.

McCrimmon said there’s no correlation between these three extensions and the fact that the Knights lost six players in free agency this summer. He kept the same lines of communication open for everyone.

“That’s why I make the point that I have,” McCrimmon said. “Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb, Brett Howden, (they) really wanted to stay in Vegas. We really wanted them to stay. We were able to get deals done with all three players based on that.”

Growing family

The only thing missing from Howden’s announcement was his family.

His wife Meike is pregnant with their second child. Their first, Charlie, was born just before the start of the 2023 playoffs.

Howden’s family has changed his perspective on day-to-day life. The biggest adjustment he made was leaving hockey at the rink and focusing on family when he gets home. That balance has made him a better player on the ice, but an even better person off it.

“(Las Vegas) just feels like home to us,” Howden said. “We just feel so comfortable there. We love the city. We love the team, the organization. Everyone makes us feel so comfortable.”

The Knights are currently on a season-long five-game road trip that continues Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens. The next time Howden will see his family in-person is the day before Thanksgiving.

He will have plenty to be grateful for.

“I’m excited to get back home,” Howden said. “My wife has been so patient throughout this process. I wish I could’ve given her a big hug when this was all done, but once I get home, I’ll be very excited to see her.”

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.