Hannah Kirkell
The NHL Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away. Friday night, The Fourth Period released their newest Trade Watch List with 40 players listed. Of those 40 players, five were reportedly linked to the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights are in a tricky situation. A recent injury to Shea Theodore gives them salary cap relief– they currently have just over $2.6 million to work with, but putting Theodore on LTIR would increase that to around $7.8 million. However, they’re handcuffed by a lack of tradeable assets.
The Golden Knights don’t have a first-round pick until 2027. Their prospect pool basically starts and ends with Trevor Connelly. The Golden Knights have habitually traded their futures for current success, and it’s worked– that’s how they won the Stanley Cup in 2023– but it’s left them with little to work with.
But General Manager Kelly McCrimmon knows how to get creative. And he’ll have to if he wants to acquire one or more of these players.
Here are the players linked to the Golden Knights in order of appearance on the trade board.
1. Mikko Rantanen, Carolina Hurricanes
This one is mind-boggling to me. I’m not surprised that the Golden Knights are listed as a linked team; it would be out of character if they weren’t in on the biggest fish at the trade deadline. No–what’s crazy is that the Hurricanes traded for Rantanen a little over a month ago, and they gave up a haul for him. But they were spurned by a high-profile winger a year ago, and the Hurricanes don’t want to risk losing Nečas for a rental.
If Rantanen really is available, there will be no shortage of interested teams. On yesterday’s episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Hurricanes could retain part of Rantanen’s salary to increase a possible return.
Carolina wants to win now, so they would probably prefer good roster players to picks and prospects. I don’t know what Rantanen would cost, but I can’t imagine he’d come cheap.
Other teams reportedly linked: Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets
4. Brandon Tanev, Seattle Kraken
The Kraken currently sit nine points out of a wildcard spot in the Western Conference. They might not be major sellers at the trade deadline, but they won’t be buyers.
Tanev is a scrappy, hard-hitting bottom-six winger who plays with grit. He can kill penalties, he’s fast, and he’s a threat to score shorthanded. He’s not a major offensive producer, but he’s more than capable of providing a big goal when the lights are brightest. Prime example? In Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2021, Tanev scored the game-winner late in the third period.
The biggest issue with Tanev is his contract. He’s a pending UFA, but he makes $3.5 million. However, the Kraken have all three retention spots, so Tanev could be had for $1.75 million. I don’t have the best grasp on player value in a seller’s market– especially since we’ve seen few comparable moves– but I can’t see Tanev costing more than a mid-round pick.
Other teams reportedly linked: Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals
6. Brayden Schenn, St. Louis Blues
This doesn’t come as a surprise; Elliotte Friedman linked the Golden Knights to Schenn a few weeks ago. The Blues are falling out of the playoff race, so General Manager Doug Armstrong is ready and willing to shake up his roster.
One slight issue– the Blues have received calls on Schenn, but it’s not confirmed that they’re actually shopping him. Also, he’s set to make $6.5 million for three more years. He’d be hard to fit under the cap, especially since the Golden Knights don’t have a first-round pick until 2027. Schenn is a proven goalscorer, and he can contribute on the powerplay. But I have a hunch that he’d cost more than Kelly McCrimmon would want to pay.
Other teams reportedly linked: Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs
11. Yanni Gourde, Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are open to signing Gourde to an extension, but they’ll listen to offers. Hey, they’d be fools not to in a seller’s market.
Gourde is a very similar player to the aforementioned Brandon Tanev. He provides more offense– he’s scored 20 goals thrice– but he’s fast and plays with an edge. Gourde is a proven playoff performer and could slot in just about anywhere in the lineup. He can also play center, which is invaluable.
Stop me if I’ve said this before– he has a sizable cap hit. Gourde, like Tanev, is a pending UFA, but he makes just under $5.2 million. Again, Seattle has all three of their retention spots, but that’ll cost you. Gourde is currently on LTIR after undergoing a sports hernia surgery, but he’s expected to be healthy around the deadline.
Even with his injury, Gourde could easily cost a second-round pick if you factor in retention.
Other teams reportedly linked: Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals
31. Joel Armia, Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens aren’t officially out of the playoff race– no one is in the East– but they’re five points out of a wildcard spot. There’s no reason for them not to sell off some of their pending UFAs.
Armia is big, tough, and has a nose for the net. He can provide some offense; he’s got decent hands and a nice shot. And he’s a threat to score shorthanded– he already has three shorthanded goals this season.
Armia is a pending UFA making $3.4 million. I figure he’d cost a little more than Brandon Tanev, maybe a third-round pick and a late-round pick. Armia would probably cost a little more if the Canadiens retained some of his salary, but they have just one open retention spot.
Other teams reportedly linked: Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals
