The Vegas Golden Knights seem to be linked to everyone nowadays. It doesn't matter if it's the occasional Rasmus Andersson rumor or even seeing Auston Matthews linked to the team by some Mitch Marner glove magic. The Golden Knights seem to be in on everyone.
That's why the latest Quinn Hughes rumors have hockey fans thinking that the Golden Knights are the hockey version of the Los Angeles Dodgers. On the FAN Hockey Show, Elliotte Friedman linked the Vancouver Canucks defenseman to Vegas.
"Vegas is obviously not an East Coast team, so I don't know if they really fit in this conversation, but Vegas is a team that really believes that guys will come there and they'll wanna stay."Elliotte Friedman
Obviously, Hughes has been linked to the New Jersey Devils, mainly because his brothers play there. Of course, names like the Detroit Red Wings also make sense since they're currently in Stanley Cup playoff contention.
However, Kelly McCrimmon is well-versed in swinging big deals. Where would big names like Jack Eichel, Tomas Hertl, and Mitch Marner be if McCrimmon didn't work his salary cap magic? However, fans should pump the brakes on the speculative nature of this deal, especially because of the price.
While it would break the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights getting Quinn Hughes would be a long shot
Let's get one thing clear. A Quinn Hughes trade to the Vegas Golden Knights would break the NHL. It would make the Golden Knights' offense overpowered and turn them into Stanley Cup favorites. However, it's not likely to happen.
First, Vancouver can control where he goes. Therefore, it's not likely that the Canucks would ever trade Hughes to a division rival, even if both teams don't have a functioning rivalry.
Second, the trade itself would be tough to pull off. Sure, the current cap space is roughly $4.3 million, according to PuckPedia. However, you must account for the trade haul that comes with that. You're looking at guys such as Trevor Connelly, Carl Lindbom, and Braeden Bowman who could potentially be traded. Is it worth biting on a trade if he's going to be a two-year rental?
Besides, everyone's speculating on Hughes to reunite and bring the Hughes Brothers show to New Jersey. The propaganda machine is revving up, especially once the future rolls around. While New Jersey might not have the cap space for a deal now, they can certainly make that happen come 2027 ($47.125 million).
It feels like Hughes is Eastern Conference-bound, whether it's with the Devils, the Red Wings, or another team
Even if the elite defenseman doesn't go to the Devils, other Eastern Conference teams still hold an advantage. The Red Wings have both the cap space ($17,295,552) and the prospects to make it happen. Ditto for the Penguins, who have $14,263,404 in current cap space. Going up against those teams will be a massive disadvantage that even Kelly McCrimmon will struggle to figure out.
You could even say that the Philadelphia Flyers have an advantage here, making things even murkier. While it stands at $9,897,740, that number's projected to grow to $30,164,539 by the trade deadline, according to PuckPedia.
That's why it would be wise for McCrimmon to sit this one out. You can't deny that Hughes would make the team much better offensively. He has plenty of offensive talent that would turn Jack Eichel into the literal embodiment of a nightmare.
However, the Golden Knights have other pressing needs. That includes lower-line scoring and stable goaltending, which will become a top priority for Vegas at the trade deadline. Sometimes, it's best not to cut your nose off to spite your face.