3 reasons why Kelly McCrimmon and the Vegas Golden Knights should make minor moves

The trade deadline is this Friday, meaning teams like the Vegas Golden Knights will be busy. The objective is making your team better for the upcoming Stanley Cup run, doing whatever it takes to get that coveted trophy. Kelly McCrimmon understands this and has been in this position before.

The past two seasons have seen a long list of names come to the Golden Knights. That includes:

• Goaltender Jonathan Quick
• Winger Ivan Barbashev
• Center Teddy Blueger
• Winger Anthony Mantha
• Defenseman Noah Hanifin
• Center Tomas Hertl

This list shows he's a busy bee at the trade deadline, doing whatever it takes to win a Stanley Cup. The good thing is he won one in 2023 with Barbashev (seven goals and 11 assists during the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs) being as good as advertised.

This season is a little different, though. Now, you must worry about those pesky Edmonton Oilers and Connor McStampede trying to poach the Pacific Division. The good news is that Edmonton has lost six of their last seven games, with a 6-2 loss against Anaheim on Tuesday being the most embarrassing. What's a Canadian team to do when their "chosen one" can't deliver in a slump?

That brings us back to Vegas, who has a four-point division lead. They can create separation with a big move (hello, Mikko Rantanen!) and catapult their Stanley Cup chances. However, McCrimmon has stated that he doesn't intend to make too much of a splash at the trade deadline. He might even be justified in his reasoning. Here are three reasons why.

1.) There aren't many prospects to deal in the Vegas Golden Knights farm system

Teams like the Carolina Hurricanes (only for Rantanen) and the Buffalo Sabres are seeking massive hauls for their players. The goal is snaring inquiring clubs in an overpay situation, where they give up a load of prospects or draft picks. This isn't an optimal situation for the Golden Knights. Why?

The cupboard is bare on the prospect front. Sure, you have noteworthy names such as Carl Lindbom and Mathieu Cataford. But are these teams looking at anybody else? Besides, there aren't many valuable picks to work with (Vegas's current pick value total is 71.06, according to PuckPedia). They don't have a first-round pick until the 2027 NHL Draft, making a big trade much harder to complete.

2.) Kelly McCrimmon's splashy move of the trade deadline season wasn't a trade

Instead, it was snatching veteran winger Brandon Saad. He might be cooling off after starting his Golden Knights tenure with two goals and one assist in his first five games. However, he might be the only noteworthy move that McCrimmon makes before the trade deadline.

Even with Shea Theodore potentially being put on LTIR, a major move would complicate matters from a financial standpoint. That's especially true if that player plans on sticking around for the long term. If Saad turns the heat up and goes on a nice scoring streak, he might be the best move made before the trade deadline.

3.) You must consider the financial ramifications

Going back to the financial consequences, a player like Mikko Rantanen will require a massive contract extension. I'm talking about eight years and $14 million per year. Mind you, that's a minimum deal that he'll likely take. There's also extending Jack Eichel to worry about and he won't be cheap, either.

Even with the salary cap going up, the Golden Knights must be careful with locking up any long-term deals. They already have three players locked in until next season's end worth $8 million or more cap hit-wise. That could prevent them from extending Eichel or even signing key free agents.