The week of the NHL Draft is truly a fascinating time for trade rumors. Heck, you can go one step further and attribute that to the free agency period, where endless amounts of speculation and wonder await. Even the parody accounts hop in on the fun!
That's certainly no different for the Vegas Golden Knights, who are linked to all the high-profile names. Of course, there's the Mitch Marner rumors that have swirled around since last year. You can bet those are circling around Las Vegas like a huge storm cloud.
But that's not the only rumor circulating. Some reports (think Elliotte Friedman) have stated that McCrimmon and company have shown interest in Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson.
As if one megastar wasn't enough, now hockey fans must worry about a shot-blocking defenseman who can score goals and assists? Man, life can be unfair sometimes.
Boy, you can imagine "Phil" from Edmonton crying on his friend's shoulders for comfort. He better hope that McDavid doesn't leave Alberta after next season.
But all these rumors circulating around the Golden Knights can only lead to one thing: Kelly McCrimmon must be cooking something. He got his pots, pans, olive oil (being health-conscious matters these days, you know), and his spices ready.
All that's needed is the steak and caviar. That's bad news for NHL fans of the 31 other teams.
Now's the time for Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights to deliver
When analysts and insiders like Elliotte Friedman are banking on Mitch Marner to go to Vegas like he's a lottery number, you know things are getting serious. After all, there was nearly a trade that happened between the Golden Knights and the Toronto Maple Leafs last year.
Of course, you don't have to go far to see other examples of his imposing presence. Look at the 2024 trade deadline, where he nabbed Anthony Mantha, Noah Hanifin, and Tomas Hertl in one sitting. Two of those acquisitions still sit on the team for the long term.
There was also trading for Jack Eichel and sending Peyton Krebs and company to the Buffalo Sabres. McCrimmon can always count on the Sabres to do something of substance with the return, right? They certainly wouldn't dare trade other key pieces like J.J. Peterka to Utah, would they?
That would be a "Mammoth" deal.
All these moves have made McCrimmon into the proverbial front office threat that he is in the NHL. Fans don't know what he'll do next or what he has up his sleeve. That's the beauty of having a stud in your front office like the Golden Knights do. They can shock the NHL world and pull off an earth-shattering trade that shifts the game's very fabric.
Therefore, it's time to deliver on that promise. You've got another Stanley Cup to win and people are catching on. You also have a fan base hungry to surpass its most hated rivals. What better way to prove them right than to go big on Marner or another big name?