3 Golden Knights that could be traded
After discussing three potential Golden Knight free agents that won't return, let's look at the players who could be traded.
Life isn't good for the Vegas Golden Knights right now. This year was supposed to be their year, with a loaded roster and talent everywhere. However, it wasn't meant to be, for there will be a new Stanley Cup champion this season. Fans have heard this song and dance numerous times by now. However, that's the harsh reality Las Vegas has been dealt.
With that comes numerous questions about the roster. Who's staying and who's going? What will the Golden Knights do with their limited cap space this offseason? These are a couple of pressing questions for a team that's going all-in on their contention window. Vegas better put its best poker face on because this offseason will be critical for the franchise's direction.
People will be eyeing the Vegas Golden Knights roster and see which free agents are staying and going. Of course, fans have one particular free agent they want to return: Jonathan Marchessault. While it's undetermined whether the Golden Knights will retain his services, there's another factor to consider.
That involves which players will be traded, with the Golden Knights trying to create cap space. With the trade deadline adding two new members of the Golden Knights long-term, Vegas is looking to retool and get younger. Of course, these aren't the only factors in play for a potential trade.
Other factors include players who are underperforming. Can Vegas find a potential trade partner for players who aren't meeting their expectations? The Golden Knights will be hard-pressed to find any cap space this offseason, even with the salary cap jumping up. Therefore, Vegas will look to offload any players they might find underwhelming... if the price is right. Here are three players that could be traded during the offseason.
1. Shea Theodore
Shea Theodore is owed $5.2 million next season, which will be the last season of his current contract. It would make sense for the Vegas Golden Knights to trade their defenseman and get a nice haul. Rumors have swirled around where Theodore will end up, with the Golden Knights looking to open up some cap space.
The good news is that the native of Aldergrove, Canada, is 28 years old. He has more than enough trade value to bring in a nice haul. There are younger, cheaper options for the Golden Knights to look at, including Kaeden Korczak. With Korczak getting pennies on the dollar, Kelly McCrimmon might explore a trade to bring in a younger star.
That's not to say the defenseman is useless on the Golden Knights. After all, Theodore notched 37 assists this season. However, he's suffered injuries that kept him out for a chunk of his Golden Knights tenure. That's why he played 47 games this season and 55 games last season.
With Noah Hanifin entering the fold and taking up a chunk of the salary cap ($7.35 million per year starting next season), the Golden Knights will need to make way for their newly acquired defenseman. Of course, Alec Martinez will likely not be returning. However, there could be a case for Theodore being offloaded as well.
2. Zach Whitecloud
One player that has severely underperformed has been Zach Whitecloud. The Vegas Golden Knights were banking on Whitecloud taking the next step and developing into a starting six defenseman. However, that hasn't materialized, with Kelly McCrimmon wondering what he must do next.
How so? Whitecloud has had some defensive lapses in his play this season. Granted, his blocked shots (105) and hits (129, a career-high) have gone up in 2023-24. However, there are times where he was absent or gave the puck away. This was evident by him posting a -3 plus/minus and giving the puck away 23 times in 61 games.
Add in the fact that the Bemidji State alum is owed $2.75 million for the next five years and it looks easier to make a deal. Whitecloud doesn't have a no-move clause in his contract, which can make life easier for the Golden Knights to move him.
A trade won't be as likely as a Shea Theodore trade based on the length of Whitecloud's contract. However, seeing the Golden Knights move on from one of their starting defensemen this offseason won't be surprising. With the salary cap crunch affecting the team, the native of Brandon, Manitoba, will be considered expendable.
3. One of the starting goaltenders
Perhaps one of the more pressing topics that aren't being talked about is the goaltender situation. With both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson in the last year of their current deals next season, there could be a possibility that one of these goalies will shipped off during the offseason.
One noteworthy item is that Hill is owed $4.9 million for next season. While he does have a modified no-trade clause in his contract, there might be consideration for him to be moved. The Vegas Golden Knights need to make cap space, which means drastic measures might be taken.
As for Logan Thompson, he's been subjected to such rumors since the end of last season. Thompson getting pulled from the starting goaltender position in favor of Hill in this year's playoffs does no favors. Therefore, he'll be a name to watch during the offseason.
The Golden Knights have plenty of younger options at goaltender, starting with Carl Lindbom. With Vegas's goalie depth in the minors, they can work out something and get their prospect in for some backup reps. It shouldn't be expected that either Hill or Thompson will be moved. However, crazier things have happened regarding the Vegas Golden Knights front office.
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