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Vegas Golden Knights: Four players who may have played their last game

By Andrew Steele-Davis

CALGARY, AB - MARCH 8: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 8, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - MARCH 8: Ryan Reaves #75 of the Vegas Golden Knights in action against the Calgary Flames during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on March 8, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /
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Linesman Jonny Murray holds Ryan Reaves of the Vegas Golden Knights back from Garnet Hathaway of the Washington Capitals after the two teams scuffled in the third period.
Linesman Jonny Murray holds Ryan Reaves of the Vegas Golden Knights back from Garnet Hathaway of the Washington Capitals after the two teams scuffled in the third period. /

3. Ryan Reaves, F, UFA

Rewind back a few weeks where we looked into the pros and cons when it came to trading away Ryan Reaves.

And it is fair to say that the vast majority of the Golden Knights fanbase were outraged at just the thought of everyone’s favorite enforcer being traded away.

Personally, I feel Reaves plays a vital role for the Knights and he’s more than a one-trick pony in terms of what he brings to the table.

For instance, he achieved career-highs in points (20), goals (9) and assists (11) while he recorded 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 71 games prior to the hiatus this year.

Not bad for a human wrecking ball.

Plus, Reaves also boasts the knack to come up clutch in key situations and he really is the heartbeat of this team both on and off the ice.

Furthermore, Reaves is an absolute human battering ram having led the Golden Knights in hits with 305 last year, while he already surpassed that amount with a staggering 316 hits this year in just 71 games.

Incredible.

However, the 33-year-old currently carries a cap hit of $2,775,000 which is a lot for a fourth-line grinder, and the front office will need to pay the likes of Chandler Stephenson, Nicolas Roy and Nick Cousins in the off-season, as well as paying a backup netminder whether that is Robin Lehner or somebody else.

As a result, and depending on what exactly happens with the salary cap in the wake of the coronavirus, the Golden Knights will have to decide whether Ryan Reaves is an essential commodity or a luxury they can’t afford to keep.

Also, at 33-years-old, Reaves isn’t getting any younger and the Golden Knights may decide that signing the younger Tomas Nosek to a new deal, who plays a similar role, could be the more shrewd investment.

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