3 Golden Knights that won't be returning next season

3. Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha was actually one of the trade deadline acquisitions picked up by the Vegas Golden Knights this season. His purpose was to bolster the power play and add forward depth. That didn't happen with Mantha in Vegas, leaving him to be pushed down as the season progressed.

How did the former Detroit Red Wing do in Las Vegas? In 18 games, he scored three goals and seven assists, with only one power play assist to show. He's also drawn a blank during the postseason, only playing in three games. For Mantha, it isn't expected that he'll return with the team. Instead, Mantha will be remembered as a trade rental, walking to a different team in the offseason.

Another reason why he won't come back is because the Golden Knights have younger forwards that can do the job. Pavel Dorofeyev has been impressive this season, with both players hoping to compete for a role. There's also Brendan Brisson waiting in the wings, who looks to get more seasoning in the NHL.

While getting Anthony Mantha looked like a bold move at the trade deadline, it didn't pay off for McCrimmon and company. The Golden Knights will look to go cheaper, using younger talent to fill the void. That's what they've done since their tenure, with players like Reilly Smith and Marc-Andre Fleury being traded out of Vegas.