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Vegas Golden Knights: Five Trade Deadline Targets

By Richard Cardinale |
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 18: Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers reacts after scoring a goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 18: Rick Nash #61 of the New York Rangers reacts after scoring a goal in the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on January 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
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There’s a ton of options for the Vegas Golden Knights at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Just look at this Vegas Golden Knights team. Many people believed this team would be one of the worst expansion franchises ever. But this club simply flipped the script right from the start of training camp.

As the victories started to pile up, many of those critics have turned into believers. Who would’ve thought we would be sitting here on February 19th in FIRST PLACE in the entire National Hockey League? With the NHL Trade Deadline looming, Golden Knights general manager George McPhee has to consider the possibility of adding to this team.

There are lots of targets out there, but the problem is the Golden Knights don’t have the farm systems that other teams have. McPhee will not want to move on from Cody Glass, Nick Suzuki, and Erik Brannstrom. So that means the veteran general manager will have to sell his draft picks to acquire his own needs. Here are five potential candidates that could go to Vegas at the trade deadline.

Rick Nash

OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Left Wing Rick Nash (61) participates in drills during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Left Wing Rick Nash (61) participates in drills during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

If there’s one player that’s seemingly linked to almost any contender in the NHL, its Rick Nash. Let’s face it, Nash isn’t a 40 goal scorer anymore, and he looks like his performance is starting to decline. However, Nash would provide another offensive weapon to the already potent Vegas forward group.

The Brampton, Ontario native has a wicked wrist shot and deadly finishing ability. The 33-year old has registered 18 goals, ten assists and 28 points in 60 games played this season. Nash is the number one player on the market and its pretty much a sure bet that New York will trade their offensive star.

One thing the Golden Knights have going for them is the cap space to bring in a player like Nash. Even though he would be a pure rental, I just don’t see McPhee ponying up for a player that hasn’t touched 20 goals yet. I say the Golden Knights walk away from Nash and feel safe about it.

Michael Grabner

ST. PAUL, MN – FEBRUARY 13: New York Rangers Left Wing Michael Grabner (40) dumps the puck into the zone during an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers on February 13, 2018, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild defeated the Rangers 3-2.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – FEBRUARY 13: New York Rangers Left Wing Michael Grabner (40) dumps the puck into the zone during an NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers on February 13, 2018, at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild defeated the Rangers 3-2.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Do you remember this player folks? This was one of the players many fans thought the Golden Knights would pick in the expansion draft. Instead, McPhee decided to roll with the potential of Oscar Lindberg, and it hasn’t panned out with him thus far.

Michael Grabner is one of the streakiest goal scorers in the entire NHL. When Grabner is crashing the net and making plays, he’s one of the most dangerous players on the ice. The Villach, Austria native has notched 25 goals, six assists and 31 points in 59 games played.

The 30-year-old would be a dependable addition to the third line of the Vegas Golden Knights. Not only could he be used at even strength but he’s also a fantastic penalty killer as well. Grabner is a cheaper rental piece than Nash, and he would be a great fit here for a low cost. If any New York Ranger is coming to Vegas, its Grabner.

Mike Green

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings walks out to the ice for warm-ups before an NHL game against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena on October 20, 2017, in Detroit, Michigan. The Capitals defeated the Red Wings 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 20: Mike Green #25 of the Detroit Red Wings walks out to the ice for warm-ups before an NHL game against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena on October 20, 2017, in Detroit, Michigan. The Capitals defeated the Red Wings 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Looking at the Vegas Golden Knights blueline, the team is loaded with depth on defense. But what if the team adds Mike Green to their roster to improve puck movement on the backend? I would be all for it.

Listen, Colin Miller, Shea Theodore and even Brad Hunt have done a magnificent job up to this point. But what if their gas tanks are starting to read empty over the last few weeks of the season? Green is an anchor that logs a ton of minutes and could provide an added spark to the Golden Knights defensive corps.

The Calgary, Alberta is a right-handed shot (which the Golden Knights desperately need), and he brings a ton of offensive ability to the table. The All-Star for the Detroit Red Wings this season has accumulated six goals, 23 assists and 29 points in 56 games played thus far. Green will become a UFA on July 1st meaning its almost a sure thing Detriot ships him out of town for assets.

With that said, I don’t see the Golden Knights adding to their already deep defensive core. The Red Wings may seek a lot of assets for Green such as a high draft pick and a prospect. I only see this deal happening if some catastrophic injuries occur over the next few days.

Zack Smith

TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 10: Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 10, 2018, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 10: Zack Smith #15 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on February 10, 2018, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 6-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Zack Smith is a different type of player than the three I’ve already mentioned. Smith has three years left on his contract with a cap hit of 3.25 million dollars. Vegas will lock in the Maple Creek, Saskatchewan native for the foreseeable future if they decide to make a move for him.

The 29-year-old is the perfect player the Golden Knights need on the bottom six. However, he is having a down year offensively only scoring four goals, 12 assists, and 16 points. But he’s responsible, plays on the penalty kill and does the little things well.

Still, this deal is too risky for the Golden Knights to make. Smith looks like one of those players that may be ready to fall off a cliff as regarding his performance. Giving up assets for a player like Smith probably isn’t in the cards for McPhee. Thanks but no thanks Ottawa.

Mark Letestu

TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 10: Mark Letestu #55 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on December 10, 2017, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 10: Mark Letestu #55 of the Edmonton Oilers skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at the Air Canada Centre on December 10, 2017, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Mark Letestu is a solid player for any contender that’s looking to bolster forward depth. He matches the Vegas Golden Knights every need, bottom six forward, right-handed,  penalty kill specialist. What more can you want from the 33-year-old veteran?

Letestu’s numbers are down this year just like everyone else on the Oilers roster. The Elk Point, Alberta native, has tallied eight goals, ten assists and 18 points in 57 games played. His offensive prowess won’t blow you away, but his hockey IQ is his strongest attribute.

Overall, it won’t take much to acquire Letestu. A low draft pick should get it done for McPhee and the Golden Knights. He would be a great addition to this Golden Knights team that’s ready for the run.

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All in all, these are the five players I see as the most likely to come to Sin City. Although, the Vegas Golden Knights are pretty stable and may not make any moves at the deadline. We can’t be mad if McPhee decides to stick with the current group and hold onto his picks and prospects. He has pushed all the right buttons, so why question the future general manager of the year now?

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