3 potential trade candidates for the Vegas Golden Knights
There are some players the Vegas Golden Knights can acquire to boost their team. Who are these candidates?
The Stanley Cup playoffs are roaring along, with teams being eliminated one by one. That comes with the territory of a winner-take-all tournament that spans months, with hopefuls losing out on glory. Sometimes, those eliminations leave numerous questions, with the Vegas Golden Knights being no exception. Who's coming back? Who's getting traded? Who won't be returning?
There are many questions plaguing the franchise, with some wondering how the team's dynamic will change in the coming years. However, they're not the only team dealing with this issue. For example, the freshly eliminated Carolina Hurricanes are dealing with an exodus of key players leaving via free agency. There are even some stars that could be traded next season.
For these franchises, they present a golden opportunity to retool and reload. That's what happened with Vegas at the trade deadline, where teams like the Washington Capitals and Calgary Flames offloaded players to brighten their futures. Although it didn't help the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup, it set a foundation for the team's future.
There's another opportunity for this to happen in Sin City in the offseason. After all, there's never been a trade that Kelly McCrimmon didn't like. Of course, that would come with other teams retaining their own player's salary (or even teams that didn't trade for the player retaining the salary). But that's how the general manager works his magic, getting the best players in return.
There might be even more room for more trades. For a team in win-now mode, there could be more draft picks gone, including this year's first-round pick. That hasn't been something that has stopped Vegas in the past, though. For them, the Stanley Cup window is open until further notice. Here are three players (excluding Mitch Marner) that the Vegas Golden Knights can acquire.
Martin Necas, C, Carolina Hurricanes
Perhaps the most noteworthy trade candidate has been none other than Martin Necas. The 25-year-old has suddenly fallen out of favor with the Carolina Hurricanes, with the team preferring Seth Jarvis's services. As a result, Carolina isn't expected to re-sign the Czech superstar.
That has led Necas to be linked to other teams, including the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres. However, could there be room for the center to come to the Vegas Golden Knights? There are plenty of good reasons why he'd feel right at home in Sin City.
For one, he's an active forechecker off the puck and plays the entire length of the ice. He'd easily fit in with the team, bringing boundless energy at a young age. The 25-year-old also has some bite on his shot, making him a good offensive piece. He's good on the power play as a distributor, which would make him at home (eight goals, five assists).
Overall, this should be a no-brainer for the Vegas Golden Knights to bring him in. He's young, he's good offensively, and can add a new element to the forecheck. The question is if McCrimmon would be willing to give the Czech star the extension he deserves. If that's the case, he'll be willing to bring Martin Necas in easily.
Trevor Zegras, C, Anaheim Ducks
If you want an EXTREMELY spicy take, look no further than the Vegas Golden Knights acquiring Trevor Zegras. The former ninth-overall pick has dealt with numerous injuries, hampering his young NHL career. It's unfortunate because he was set to be the face of the Ducks franchise, with exciting skills and playmaking abilities being a part of his game.
Still, that should be a part of why the Golden Knights should acquire him. He can score at will or act as a distributor, making him a constant threat. Imagine him setting up Jack Eichel for a top-shelf goal in the third period. Here comes Zegras on a two-on-one! He passes to Eichel. Shoots! Scores! Vegas takes the lead!
Of course, there are other benefits to acquiring the former 2019 first-round pick, including his age (23 years old). However, he must be better away from the puck and can't be just a pure offensive talent. After all, Vegas is trying to retain such a beloved player's services for next season (and beyond). But if that doesn't work out, they can simply turn to Trevor Zegras for a much younger alternative. This trade won't be as likely to happen. But, hey, one can dream, right?
Reilly Smith, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Could it be time to bring home an "Original Misfit?" There are good reasons for the Vegas Golden Knights to welcome a reunion. After all, Reilly Smith is extremely familiar with the team. Whether it's former teammates like Mark Stone, head coach Bruce Cassidy, or the endearing fans, Smith would certainly welcome a trade back to Sin City.
Smith didn't stand out much with the Pittsburgh Penguins this season, scoring 13 goals. That's half of what he scored the season prior, when he won the Stanley Cup with Vegas. Perhaps returning to the environment that made him an offensive star will give him a boost--and the Golden Knights--a boost.
Perhaps losing one "Original Misfit" to gain another will ease the pain a bit. However, there are a couple of detractors to a potential return. For one, the winger is 33 years old and isn't getting younger. Two, he's going to be a $5 million cap hit next season. For a team that is tight on cap space, it wouldn't be plausible. Then again, McCrimmon has always done a good job getting other teams to retain salary, so it wouldn't be as surprising as initially thought.
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