Vegas Golden Knights should move Cody Eakin at Trade Deadline

DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Jonathan Bernier #45 of the Detroit Red Wings follows the play as teammate Madison Bowey #74 battles for position with Cody Eakin #21 of the Vegas Golden Knights during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on November 10, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit defeated Las Vegas 3-2. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

Cons To Trading Cody Eakin

For many of the reasons mentioned in the previous slide, the Vegas Golden Knights won’t get a lot in return for Cody Eakin for two reasons.

Firstly, he is due to become an unrestricted free agent in the off-season so teams aren’t going to give up a boatload for a player they could go after for nothing in the summer.

And, secondly, Eakin has struggled in a plethora of departments so far this season and, as such, his value is going to be at an all-time low.

So, the only real positive for the Golden Knights trading Eakin is to literally free up some cap space rather than what they will get back in return, which is going to be minimal even if the forward does all of a sudden enjoy an offensive splurge.

Also, Eakin has been part of this franchise since it entered the National Hockey League in 2017, and he’s one of the core guys in the locker room.

However, sports is a cutthroat business and you have to make tough decisions when chasing a championship as the Golden Knights are.

TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 7: Vegas Golden Knights center Cody Eakin #21 sets for a face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on November 7, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images)

Final Verdict

It would be hard to let Cody Eakin go because of his overall body of work with this franchise and what he means in that locker room, but I truly believe it would be the best thing for this team.

With his contract expiring and following the emergence of Cody Glass, coupled with the addition of bottom six forward Nicolas Roy, the Golden Knights can afford to lose Eakin now and it would allow the coaching staff to slot Glass in at center where he belongs.

Also, and this is the most important factor, it would free up some much-needed cap space for the Knights who will then have some flexibility to strengthen the roster in other ways ahead of the postseason.

So, overall, if Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon gets a phone call about Cody Eakin, then he should consider pulling the trigger on a trade.