Golden Knights sign top goalie prospect to 3-year contract

The Vegas Golden Knights made sure their top goaltending prospect bypassed free agency, signing Carl Lindbom to a three-year deal Sunday night.

The deal carries an average annual value of $900,000.

Lindbom, 23, was set to enter restricted free agency when the market opened Wednesday.

The Stockholm, Sweden native was a seventh-round pick of the Knights in 2021 and has done nothing but skyrocket up the organizational pecking order.

Lindbom has been one of the best goaltenders in the American Hockey League with the Henderson Silver Knights the past two years, going 42-30-11 with a 2.41 goals-against average and .919 save percentage.

He took another step last season, going 24-5-8 — including an 18-0-2 mark in the second half — as Henderson reach the Calder Cup Playoffs. Lindbom was an AHL All-Star Second Team selection and represented the organization in the All-Star Game.

Lindbom made his NHL debut on Oct. 26 in Tampa Bay, making 26 saves in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Lightning. He lost his first six starts before recording his first NHL win Nov. 29 at home against the San Jose Sharks.

The Knights are down to six restricted free agents they must tender qualifying offers to by 2 p.m. Monday if they don’t re-sign them.

Most notably is goaltender Akira Schmid, who led all Knights goaltenders with 29 starts last season.

Lindbom is assured to be the No. 1 goaltender in Henderson next season, but the uncertain futures of Schmid and even Adin Hill may give Lindbom a chance to compete for the backup role at the NHL level.