The final big piece of the free agent market has signed in Seattle as the Kraken signed Chandler Stephenson to a seven-year contract worth $43.75 million ($6.25M AAV). The 30-year-old smooth skating centre had spent the last five years in Vegas and had 16 goals, 51 points and 25 PIMs in 75 games played in 2023-24.
Stephenson will not play on Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks due to an undisclosed ailment. The 29-year-old Stephenson has 51 points (16G / 35A) in 75 games this season, including a four-assist performance on Friday.
Stephenson most recently played on a line with Tomas Hertl and Michael Amadio but will not play on Wednesday to attend the birth of his child. The 29-year-old Stephenson has 47 points (16G / 31A) in 73 games this season. Brendan Brisson has been sent down to the AHL, indicating that Stephenson is poised to return to the Golden Knights lineup on Friday.
Stephenson most recently played on a line with Tomas Hertl and Michael Amadio but will not play on Wednesday to attend the birth of his child. The 29-year-old Stephenson has 47 points (16G / 31A) in 73 games this season.
Stephenson returned to Vegas on Tuesday due to personal reasons and his status for Wednesday's game in Edmonton is up in the air as a result. Brendan Brisson will likely draw into the lineup if Stephenson is unavailable.
The Golden Knights recalled 2020 first-round pick Brendan Brisson earlier in the day, so he could potentially slide into the lineup for his NHL debut if Stephenson is unable to go on Monday. Stephenson has seven goals and 13 assists in 39 games this season.
Stephenson is expected to miss the next two games as he tends to an upper-body injury. In the Golden Knights' most recent game, Stephenson played 19:12 and was held without a point, registering a -2 plus/minus rating. Jonas Rondbjerg has been recalled from Henderson of the AHL and is expected to suit up for Vegas in his absence.
Stephenson was absent at the Golden Knights' morning skate and play after being a game-time decision ahead of Game 3 vs. Dallas due to an illness. If the 29-year-old is forced to miss any time, it will be a massive loss for Vegas as he has a goal and three points across the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and is third on the team in playoff scoring with seven goals, 13 points, 19 SOG, and 18 PIMs
Stephenson was absent at the Golden Knights' morning skate and will be a game-time decision ahead of Game 3 vs. Dallas due to an illness. If the 29-year-old is forced to miss any time, it will be a massive loss for Vegas as he has a goal and three points across the first two games of the Western Conference Finals and is third on the team in playoff scoring with seven goals, 13 points, 19 SOG, and 18 PIMs.
Stephenson is not on the ice for warmups and will miss Monday's game in Minnesota. Reilly Smith returns from an injury to replace Stephenson in the Golden Knights' lineup.
Stephenson will come out of the Golden Knights lineup on Friday due to personal reasons. With Stephenson out, Nicolas Roy should move up to the top line with Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty.