This team has one of the weirdest situations around in terms of cap space. Despite being a contender, and having a fair amount of high quality players up front, the Knights have quite a bit of cap space FOR NEXT YEAR, but almost none this year.
This is because of the expiring contracts on Nick Holden, Ryan Reaves, and Cody Eakin who have a total cap of a little over 8M. It is unlikely that any of these players return next season seeing, as they have all dipped in production and are now overpaid.
This best move for the Golden Knights is to trade for a rental who they can sign in the offseason. They would get the seller to retain on the player, hopefully a right shot defenceman, in order to fit it in the cap this year. They would then sign the dman next year with the money they gain from releasing Holden and Eakin/Reaves.
My favorite option is Sami Vatanen. Mobile RHD with high hockey IQ who plays all types of minutes on the PP and Even-strength. He's got decent underlying numbers. Perhaps most importantly, he makes sense for this year, and for next year. The Devils can retain on Vatanen, and are likely to move him because they know he will not resign in the offseason. He is a UFA that is likely to get a small pay raise on his 4.75M, a pay raise that Vegas should be able to afford.
The price on Vatanen is likely a 2nd round pick and a prospect. Seeing as the trade would force Vegas to send down Zach Whitecloud, I sadly believe he may have to be the one to go. I like the kid, but I would imagine that the Devils do as well.
Another element of the trade is that the Knights would have to trade either Eakin or Reaves to make it work. Neither would come with much value because of their cap hits and roles, as well as the struggles they have had this season, but I think the Knights can make it work. (Perhaps a three-way deal involving someone like Anahiem or Detroit?)
Your write up is great. You are right, it’s only this year they have a cap issue right now.
I would do Gustafson from Chicago instead of Vantanen personally. He’s only at 1.2 Million for this year, which they can fit without even moving anyone else. So if you move Eakin you can free up some cap for a depth winger if you want.
Also they probably won’t have to send Whitecloud down if they go with Gustafson. I believe The 23 man roster gets relaxed. It’s just a cap space thing at that point.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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