Noah Hanifin's unexpected offense welcomed by Vegas Golden Knights

Noah Hanifin was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 6, 2024.  He was part of a 3-team trade by the Calgary Flames to the Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas sent a 1st round draft pick in 2025 (conditional), a 3rd round draft pick in 2025 (conditional), and Daniil Miromanov to the Calgary Flames. The Vegas team sent a 5th-round draft pick in 2024 to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Most observers then wondered how the Golden Knights could keep his $7.35 million salary under the cap limit. One thing is certain: if the Vegas team is motivated to acquire a certain player, it will find methods to accomplish it.

Hanifin tallied five points in two games

Hanifin's scoring surge happened when he scored three goals and two assists in two games against the Edmonton Oilers and the Utah Hockey Club. Both games earned his team two points. His two timely goals against the Oilers took the Vegas club from a one-goal deficit to a one-goal lead in the final period of play.

In the Utah game, he took his team from a two-goal deficit to tie the game in the middle stanza and dramatically ended the game with an excellent assist on Brett Howden's game-winning tally.

Talk about timely scoring! Hanifin has shown he is player on the blueline who must be covered, or he will burn you.

Since joining the Golden Knights, Hanifin has scored at a pace of .59 points per game. That exceeds his career average of .42 points per contest. He is also averaging over 22 minutes of ice time to show his stamina.

Lining up with Alex Pietrangelo has helped

Hanifin and Pietrangelo complement each other on the blue line. Pietrangelo has 13 points in 15 games, which shows that he and Hanifin can charge up the offense when needed. They can both be a threat to either score or set up plays to score.

Head coach Bruce Cassidy has confidence in both D-men, as evidenced by placing them on the second power-play unit. Cassidy also realizes that both of his first-line defensemen can play defense with the best of them. Pietrangelo has an amazing 606 blocks in 273 games.

Opposing teams must shutter, knowing that getting by Hanifin or Pietrangelo takes work. Hanifin stands 6'3”, 207, while Pietrangelo is 6'3”, 215 lbs.

Hanifin is an excellent addition to the Vegas team

Adding Hanifin to the roster has increased the Golden Knights' chances of winning another Cup. With Hanifin becoming an offensive weapon, it distracts from teams paying attention to other scorers on the ice for Vegas.

It merely gives the team more options to score. Hanifin has cooled off since his scoring surge. He has been held scoreless the two games after displaying his offensive prowess, but he is still tied for ninth on the team in scoring with three goals, five assists in 15 games.

If he stays healthy, the sky is the limit for this talented defenseman. It will again demonstrate the abilities of General Manager Kelly McCrimmon. Acquiring Hanifin was challenging, but it may be a pivotal trade as the season progresses.

While Vegas trails the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings by one point in the standings, Vegas has two games in hand. They have been dominant at home with a 8-1 record, and once they start winning more on the road, they will be difficult to stop.

No doubt, with a clutch player like Hanifin in the lineup, they must be considered a contender to win it all again.