The Vegas Golden Knights have signed 2022 draft selection Matyas Sapovaliv to a three-year, entry-level contract, according to Sapovaliv’s agent, Dan Milstein. PuckPedia reports Sapovaliv’s contract carries a $860,000 cap hit in all three seasons, with $775,000 paid in NHL salary, $85,000 paid in signing bonuses, and $82,500 paid in minors salary.
Vegas selected Sapovaliv, a natural center, with the 48th overall selection out of the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. The product of Kladno, Czechia, has 11 goals and 30 points in 30 games with Saginaw in 2022-23 and is on Czechia’s roster for the ongoing World Junior Championships.
Sapovaliv’s style leans heavily on the playmaking side, investing nearly all his offensive IQ into making picture-perfect passes. While he can certainly put the puck in the net, too, he has high point-producing upside if utilized correctly alongside snipers at the NHL level.
He is still just 18 years old, with his birthday coming in February. He’s the second-highest drafted forward in the Vegas system behind 2020 first-round choice Brendan Brisson.
Great win for Sapo and the Czechia team over team Canada tonight. Two reasons for him to celebrate!