id say 2 2nds man. he only has 1 year left on his deal. maybe even 1 2nd tbh. a 1st is too much

considering he can go on LTIR, they won't need to trade a large asset.

So what reason would Vegas have for trading him then? We give everyone crap for doing these LTIR trades where a guy costs nothing against the cap essentially, but now it appears Vegas is trying to move him....I don't get it.

The cap of Clarkson count before October 1st

Clarkson doesn't affect the cap at all. What nonsense about summer LTIRs too. Leafs for one season had I believe 3 players at LTIR all year round... Horton, Lupul and Robidas. They could still spend to the cap with "active" players.
The only disadvatage of having a player on LTIR is that it might affectWHEN a team. can pay its bonuses. That's it.
99% of LTIR trades posted on CapFriendly are absolutely meaningless.

From the CBA:

Can LTIR be used in the off-season?
Yes, LTIR can be used in the off-season while the 10% off-season cushion is active. LTIR in the off-season is calculated using the basic equation outlined above, which permits a team to exceed the off-season salary cap. To use off-season LTIR the team must provide doctors proof that the player in question will continue to be injured at the beginning of the regular season for 10 NHL games and 24 calendar days.

At the start of the season the teams LTIR relief & ACSL is recalculated when the 10% cushion is removed.

Vegas is right now over the cap....

Yes, but they are within the 10% cap cushion. They will exceed the cushion when they sign their RFA and UFA and not trade away any players under contract.

The cap should be at 82M next season, +10% = 91M. Vegas 19 players under contract at 83.1M. Karlsson should sign at 6-7M, Gusev at 2-3M and two other players at 1M. At best is 83.1+6+2+1+1 = 93M. They have to move something, Clarkson is easiest move to do at 5.250M. So 93M-5.250M = 87M. It's over 5M to the cap... again...

Read this again:

Can LTIR be used in the off-season?
Yes, LTIR can be used in the off-season while the 10% off-season cushion is active.

82M cap + 10% = approx 90M + LTIR overage for Clarkson 5.25M = approx 95M.

Regardless, they have to make trades no matter what. I just feel it makes more sense to trade Eakin, Miller and Haula over trading Clarksons contract which they'll have to lose an asset to move.