Don't you love when trade rumors fly around during the NHL offseason? It makes fan speculation and fantasizing about a Stanley Cup-winning season much more appealing. Plus, it keeps the news cycle going, where people can build on something as long as it's credible. Even during the dog days of August, these rumors can still persist with potential momentum coming in hot.
That has been the case for the Vegas Golden Knights, who've inquired about acquiring Mitch Marner from the Maple Leafs. There's a good reason, with Jonathan Marchessault no longer being with the team. Now, there's a need for a top-line star who can put up fantastic stats and score goals.
That's where Toronto comes in. They're dealing with a salary cap crunch now, only having $1,275,333 in non-LTIR cap space. The "Core Four" has a majority of the money tied to them, with names like Auston Matthews ($13.25 million AAV), William Nylander ($11.5 million AAV), and John Tavares ($11 million AAV) taking home big paydays.
Matthews and Nylander are signed for four years left on their respective deals and Tavares is the older star, leaving Marner as the odd man out. A trade with the Golden Knights sounds nice, for Vegas is searching for a complimentary piece to Jack Eichel. However, there are three names they must avoid in a possible deal with Toronto. These players serve a purpose for Vegas, giving the team its identity. Who are these three mysterious names that must stay in Sin City for more hockey?
Ivan Barbashev
The stat sheet might not show Ivan Barbashev as a viable top line player. Scoring 19 goals and 26 assists in 82 games last season doesn't impress as many people as flirting with 100 points every year. However, there's more to the Russian forward's viability than being Jack Eichel's tag team partner on the first line.
It's been mentioned numerous times how Barbashev has been a physical player on the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights. In 105 games with Vegas, the center has 230 hits, giving the top line its bite. Combined with breathtaking speed that can be used on breakaways and odd-man rushes, he's a tough player to match up against. That's especially true when the opponent commits a costly turnover, where Barbashev skates past them.
Giving him away means trading that physical prowess, where the Golden Knights lose a sizable name. Given that the Russian forward and Eichel have done well together (GF% of 61.02 and a GA% of 30.49 in 63 games together in 2023-24), it would be wise to hold onto him. That's good for someone who earns $5 million AAV to be the Robin to Eichel's Batman.