Schmidt awarded two-year contract with Golden Knights

Defenseman Nate Schmidt signed a two-year, $4.45 million contract (average annual value $2.225 million) with the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Schmidt, a restricted free agent, was awarded the contract after an arbitration hearing in Toronto on Thursday. He reportedly asked for a one-year, $2.75 million contract, and the Golden Knights submitted a two-year proposal worth $950,000 per season.

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Of the 30 players who elected to go to arbitration this offseason, Schmidt was the only one whose case needed an arbitrator's decision. Detroit Red Wings center Tomas Tatar and Nashville Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson each got a hearing, but agreed on contracts before the arbitrator's ruling.
Schmidt, 26, was chosen by Vegas from the Washington Capitals in the NHL Expansion Draft on June 21. He had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 60 games with the Capitals last season.
Signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent on April 2, 2013, Schmidt has 43 points (eight goals, 35 assists) in 200 NHL games.