It's no secret that Kelly McCrimmon and the Vegas Golden Knights like making big moves. That is, when the situation calls for it. Last season, he acquired Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames and Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks. The year prior? Ivan Barbashev from the St. Louis Blues.
These moves have molded the Golden Knights into Pacific Division leaders. Barbashev has 18 goals and 21 assists this season while Hertl has anchored the third-best power play unit in the NHL (28.5%). As for Hanifin? He does have a goal and four assists in his last three games. Baby steps, everyone.
This year might be different from past iterations. The general manager has stated that he doesn't anticipate a big move this season. Having a weakened prospect system and draft picks without value lend credence to this statement. Instead of getting a big piece, it might be a depth player who adds more to a particular position (i.e. winger).
But who knows? Nobody expected McCrimmon to pull off three big trades last season. It shook the NHL and amplified the conspiracies surrounding LTIR and the salary cap. Ah, nothing like believing that the moon landing was fake with Mark Stone faking injuries.
Still, what can we learn about betting from the trade deadline and making big moves? Sometimes, it takes a lot to bet on yourself. You want to make more out of your life and need to push those boundaries. Well, dear reader. Here's how you can do it.
Betting on yourself starts with this
Reading the book, "The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F***" by Mark Manson taught me plenty of things. First, enjoy life and live your truth. Don't listen to the critics and haters who are jealous of your life. Many Golden Knights fans can relate to this since their team has a Stanley Cup in their first seven seasons.
But there's another lesson to be learned from here. That's going for it. You only have one life to live and you can't take a risk. Regret is a thing, after all. It'll haunt you for eternity and leave you feeling unsatisfied.
For example, I wished I started investing when I was 18 years old. I wish I had put money into stocks such as Apple and Microsoft, building up my fortune. While I'm doing it now, the sting of not getting in sooner hurts.
That's something I would tell my younger self. Go for it and listen to your intuition. Sometimes, your parents, friends, or mentors won't give you the best advice (but don't completely shut them out). Instead, weigh your options and think everything through. What you do and the decisions you make will determine your future.
That's what Kelly McCrimmon will face heading into the trade deadline. What moves will he make to better the Golden Knights (if any)? Will McCrimmon go all-in on a big name or stay where he is? These are questions he must ask himself as he evaluates the season. Vegas can clinch home-ice advantage up to the Western Conference Final, which is much needed considering they're 22-6-3 at home this season. Maybe it's time to push the poker chips at the center of the table and go all-in on your life.