Vegas Golden Knights: Stephenson’s trade makes Eakin more expendable
Could the Vegas Golden Knights be preparing for a big move between now and the Trade Deadline? The events of Monday suggests that could be the case.
While the Vegas Golden Knights were beating the New York Rangers on the ice on Monday, the front office were busy making a move off it.
The Knights sent a fifth round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft for forward Chandler Stephenson, who is due to become a restricted free agent in the summer.
It was a minor move and one that hardly sent a ripple throughout the ocean that is the National Hockey League.
However, it could be a move that leads to a much bigger one for the Golden Knights, who aren’t afraid of being aggressive in order to become better and strengthen their bid for the Stanley Cup.
And I think this move could involve Cody Eakin, who I believe is even more expendable now following Stephenson’s arrival.
If you are a regular visit to this site, you will know that I think the Golden Knights should look to move Eakin at the Trade Deadline.
After all, the forward is carrying a cap hit of $3,850,000 and he’s unlikely to return to Vegas next year due to the fact that he’s a pending UFA.
Chuck into the melting pot the fact that Eakin has struggled this year with seven points and a -6 rating, it makes sense to part company with Eakin.
Because, by shifting Eakin’s contract off the books that would free up some cap space to go out and either bring in a puck-moving defenseman or a forward that can help to provide secondary scoring.
That should be the biggest priority for the Golden Knights in the runup to the Trade Deadline on Feb. 24, and Eakin is the most expendable asset.
He’s even more expendable now following Monday’s trade.
Chandler Stephenson is a younger (he’s 25) and faster version of Eakin, and he slotted in on the fourth line for the Knights on Tuesday, scoring on his debut against the New Jersey Devils.
He can play up and down the lineup, which is key in today’s NHL, he excels in the faceoff circle and he’s one of the best penalty killers in the game right now.
Basically, he can do everything that Eakin does and he’s still young so there might be some more potential there to tap into as well, not to mention his blistering speed which is a huge asset to this team.
Another caveat at play here is the fact that with Eakin currently week-to-week with an upper-body injury, that has allowed Cody Glass to play as a natural center on the third line.
He’s been joined by William Carrier and Alex Tuch in the last two games, and they have meshed well together.
The lineup seems more balanced, albeit I’m going by a small sample size, and I have stressed for months now that Glass should be playing as a center rather than on the wing.
Next. Stephenson's crazy day, other takeaways from New Jersey. dark
By trading for Stephenson, the Golden Knights have a versatile bottom six forward who can perform a number of roles while bringing a bucketload of speed to the fourth line.
As a result, the Vegas Golden Knights can afford to trade Cody Eakin at the Trade Deadline thus allowing them to go out and make a bigger move that will help this team in their ultimate pursuit of the Stanley Cup.