Interesting idea. With the way Stephenson is playing Vegas probably says no, but overall it's a pretty even deal.

We’d probably have to retain half on Greenway to get the cap differential big enough to make it worthwhile for VGK. Even then it’s hard to see VGK moving a guy at such a low cap hit.

I like the idea and the fit for the Wild tho.

Stone and Patches will both be long back by the deadline and Eichel will just be coming into the lineup around the mid-February mark. Obviously they'll try and move Smith and/or Dadanov first, but depending on whether Nolan Patrick is back before then, Stephenson could be available if Patrick is. It also opens up a little more cap space for them to breath a little easier too.

Don't forget, this is the same team that fielded 10 forwards a couple times last year because they didn't have any cap space.

Greenway makes $650k less than Stephenson. Vegas gaines cap space here. And every bit is crucial.

Besides, one or both of Smith and/or Dadanov will be moved at the deadline to make room for Eichel. Once he comes back.

All good points. I think I prefer this deal to Dylan Strome since Stephenson is a really good skater. I think it could work for both sides. Vegas has also gained quite a reputation for moving established players so maybe they would be willing to do this for the cap relief and the fact Eichel would move Stephenson down the lineup once he's healthy.

Vegas doesn't touch this. Stephenson is twice the player Greenway is and he's on a great contract for 2.5 more years. They'll move other guys to free up cap space if necessary.

1) They just moved out their best and only real powerforward for Eichel. Seems to me they'll be needing a replacement.

2) Their center depth once everyone is healthy is this.

Eichel
Karlsson
Stephenson
Patrick
Howden

3) They'll be $6.4M over the cap once everyone's off LTIR. That means one of Smith or Dadanov have to go... and then some.

4) They have $3.66M in open cap space next year with only 16 roster spots filled. You can't sign 5-7 players with that little of a cap space.

Chandler Stephenson (27yo): $2.75M
Nolan Patrick (23yo): $1.8M
Brett Howden (23yo): $885k

Jordan Greenway (24yo): $2.1M

$650k isn't much, but could very likely mean the difference between being able to call up someone or having to ice 10 forwards because you don't. Vegas is going to have to bring its capologist a golden medal if they can successfully navigate their way out of this one.

Alec Martinez, Evgenii Dadonov, William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault are all candidates to be moved before Stephenson. And there's no requirement for them to have a "power forward" but their top six is full and they have enough hard nosed two way players in their bottom six already.

Sorry, but you don't move a guy like Stephenson on the contract he has to save 650k if you're having cap troubles. That's the guy you keep. And in the off chance that they do want to move Stephenson, they can easily move him without taking any money back, let alone 2.1M (and more if they want to re-sign Greenway next season).

Dadonov? Yes

Marchessault? No

Martinez? Maybe, if no other option presents itself.

Karlsson? Wut...

Absolutely not...

Are you kidding me? You don't ever move out a legitimate top six center just so you can keep a middle-six one. That doesn't make any sense. Vegas may be hard up in terms of their Cap next year, but they're fine after that. Trading out what is now your second best center because of one year of bad cap is not only highly foolish, its downright stupid.

Look, I really like Chandler Stephenson, and he is now my preferred target for a trade over Dylan Strome as a potential realistic trade target for us. But you are seriously overestimating him and his worth if you think the Knights would willingly move Karlsson, just so they could keep Stephenson, who isn't even needed or necessary when Nolan Patrick is sitting there for their future 3C needs at half the cost and 4 years younger.

As for Greenway, you bridge him at his current price point and pay him once the money's available in 2023.

Karlsson scored 4 more points in 5 more games last season than Stephenson, and currently has 6 less points in 1 less game than Stephenson this season.

Whatever labels you think apply to the two, Stephenson is far more cost effective. And Nolan Patrick isn't a part of this conversation, at all.

This is a fantastic discussion!!

Minnesota adds. Greenway is kinda stinky.