​The worst-kept secret surrounding the Vegas Golden Knights is now official, and another move keeping Vegas tied to its inaugural season has also been confirmed. On Wednesday, the Golden Knights opened the new league year by signing two of their own players, extending defenseman Rasmus Andersson and forward Jonas Rondbjerg. Andersson agreed to a seven-year deal with an annual cap hit of $8.5 million, while Rondbjerg inked a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level and $400,000 in the AHL.
Since being traded to Vegas on January 18, Andersson established himself as a top-four defenseman, appearing in 33 regular-season games with seven goals and 17 points, and contributing six points in 22 playoff contests. While his season had its ups and downs, it reflected a banner year for the club, including a coaching change and a rapid push to secure the Pacific Division title. An full offseason program with the Golden Knights should help him further integrate, and Pavel Dorofeyev’s departure to the New York Rangers creates an opportunity on the power play going forward. With extensions for Andersson and Jeremy Lauzon, plus the Kaedan Korczak-for-Parker Wotherspoon trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas has likely solidified its defensive corps beyond its depth pieces.
Rondbjerg’s extension means he is the last player from Vegas’s 2017 draft class still with the organization. He has served as a depth forward, bouncing between the NHL and the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. Last season he appeared in four games for Vegas, recording an assist, while spending most of the year in Henderson, where he scored 13 goals and 26 points in 43 games as an alternate captain and added an assist in six Calder Cup Playoff contests. Rondbjerg was among the first six players named to Team Denmark for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, but injuries prevented him from participating.
Vegas now sits above the cap ceiling, though Alex Pietrangelo’s season-ending long-term injured reserve move will leave the team with just over $3.5 million in cap space. With the Golden Knights reportedly pursuing several significant moves, the next several days will be pivotal as the organization navigates its cap situation and targets.