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Vegas Golden Knights: Setting the scene for the Trade Deadline

By Andrew Steele-Davis|
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 20: A Vegas Golden Knights fan holds up a sign welcoming newly acquired player Alec Martinez #23 as the team warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at T-Mobile Arena on February 20, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 20: A Vegas Golden Knights fan holds up a sign welcoming newly acquired player Alec Martinez #23 as the team warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at T-Mobile Arena on February 20, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Today is like Christmas in the NHL with the Trade Deadline finally upon us. How busy will the Vegas Golden Knights be?

In simple terms, the Vegas Golden Knights are expected to be active today as they look to add the final piece or pieces to what they hope will be a Stanley Cup-caliber roster.

The Knights have already been busy having sent a 2020 second-round pick in the NHL Entry Draft and a 2021 second-round selection to the LA Kings on Wednesday for veteran defenseman Alec Martinez.

Then, on Friday, the Golden Knights sent Cody Eakin to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in 2021, that could turn into a third-round selection if the Jets either make the playoffs or if Eakin re-signs in Winnipeg.

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That was a fantastic return for a player who has been on the decline this year, while the Knights also freed up some cap space in order to make another move.

According to Cap Friendly, the Knights are projected to have $5,450,000 in cap space today but that is also factoring in Alex Tuch‘s return from LTIR.

In terms of what to expect from today, it is likely that the Golden Knights try to acquire a puck-moving defenseman.

Jesse Granger of The Athletic has reported that the Knights are interested in Erik Gustafsson of the Chicago Blackhawks, and it is likely that the blueliner is moved today.

It is also fair to suggest that the Golden Knights are in need of some secondary scoring, and there are some intriguing options out on the market.

Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks could be on the move and imagine that for a dramatic twist in the tail if the legendary forward ends up in Vegas by midday.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 22: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 22, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 22: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 22, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

One name to keep an eye on is Thomas Vanek who is currently a free agent. Vanek is a goalscorer and he would be a perfect fit for the Golden Knights if they could thrash out a team-friendly deal.

We will be doing a deeper dive on some names the Golden Knights could trade for throughout the course of the day.

Don’t expect a repeat of last year’s Trade Deadline, though, when Vegas went all in to acquire Mark Stone from the Ottawa Senators before signing the elite forward to a bumper contract.

Although the Golden Knights will be active today, any moves they make will more than likely be subtle ones rather than a blockbuster deal that will send ripples throughout the hockey world.

We could be wrong, of course.

Elsewhere around the NHL, all eyes will be on what the New York Rangers do with Chris Kreider and, if the Blueshirts do decide to trade the pending UFA, then that could really bust the market wide open.

You can follow all the moves that go down today right HERE with our Trade Deadline Live Feed, while we will have plenty of Trade Deadline content online throughout the day.

And, remember, the cutoff point today is 12:00 p.m. PT.

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