It’s time for another edition of NHL rumours. We’re just days away from the NHL trade deadline on Friday. There’s been chatter for weeks on what may happen. However, the intensity really gets turned up with just days remaining. Teams are trying to tinker with their rosters, but also have to deal with the cap hit. One team that’s always aggressive in the trade market is the Vegas Golden Knights. This edition of NHL rumours deals with what they might do to bolster their roster.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
What the Trade Deadline May Hold for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Rumour: Danny Webster of The Las Vegas Review-Journal went over the possibilities for the Golden Knights at the trade deadline. Vegas is always a major player at the deadline and it always has an ace up its sleeve.
Analysis: Usually, the Golden Knights are always trying to make major swings at the deadline. People seem to think that Vegas General Manger Kelly McCrimmon always has something cooking. The Golden Knights have over $2.2 million in cap space, but that seems like more of a challenge than a hard number.
Webster said that the Golden Knights don’t plan to be big spenders at the deadline. This is a departure from what Vegas normally does at the trade deadline. We’ve seen plenty of blockbuster moves from the team at past trade deadlines. However, there may actually be some restraint this season.
However, Webster is quick to note that things can change and Vegas can really make some noise. The franchise does have a lot going for it and players would like to come there. However, it’s a mater of making it make sense cap wise.
What It Means
One thing that could hinder the Golden Knights is a lack of assets. Vegas has already given up its first-round picks for this year and next year in the draft. The Golden Knights don’t want to keep mortgaging first-round choices in order to acquire players. Vegas does have an extra third-round and an extra sixth-round pick if they want to use that in part of a deal.
There are also a few prospects that Vegas wants to hold onto. Players like Trevor Connelly, Mathieu Cataford and Carl Lindbom seem to figure into the future plans with the team. Vegas would have be blown away by an offer to part with any of these players.
Webster adds that more affordable targets could be on McCrimmon’s radar at the deadline. He mentions that Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken, Joel Armia of the Montreal Canadiens and Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks could be on the Golden Knights’ radar in the next few days.
Webster does add some shots in the dark like Brad Marchand and Brock Nelson. However, that would require a lot of moving parts to make that deal happen. Despite this, don’t doubt the Golden Knights and their wizardry of the salary cap in order to get a deal done.
