The NHL Trade Deadline is right around the corner. And with William Karlsson already on long-term injured reserve and reports about Shea Theodore’s 4 Nations injury indicating his timeline for return is in line with the postseason, it appears likely they’ll be financially open for business once again this season.
It’s impossible to predict exactly how much cap space they’ll have to operate with. However, their history has shown that if there’s a will, there’s a way, and that will be no different this season.
One difference this year will impact Vegas’ high-octane front office, the asset pool. After trading two 1st round picks, a 2nd round pick, a 1st round prospect, and a usable NHL defenseman at last year’s deadline, coupled with massive moves throughout the previous three or four seasons, the Golden Knights’ available pool of assets is limited.
Here’s what’s left, ranked in order of most to least trade value at this upcoming deadline.
Trevor Connelly
1st Round Pick – 2024
Connelly stands as one of just two 1st round picks (of 10 since 2017) left in the Golden Knights’ system. He’s an excellent prospect and has shined on the ice since arriving at Providence College. Connelly has fought through some injury troubles but when he’s healthy he looks every bit of a 19-year-old 1st round pick. He’s as good, if not better, than a 2025 or 2026 1st round pick based on what he’s shown since being selected #19.
There is one caveat with Connelly. One of the reasons he dropped to the mid/late 1st round was due to some off-ice issues in his past. Every day that passes and he proves to have grown from them makes them less and less important, but if he is offered up in a trade less than one year from selection it may raise red flags to other teams. It only takes one team to be willing to take the same risk the Golden Knights did, and that team is surely out there, but many passed on him in the draft, and they could easily pass via trade as well.
Nic Hague
2024-25: 45 GP, 3 G, 5 A
Career: 341 GP, 18 G, 61 A
Contract: Pending RFA w/ Arbitration at $2,294,150
Hague stands as the most valuable active NHL trade asset for many reasons. First, he’s one of the few players in the VGK lineup without a contract for next season. His RFA status keeps him under control for Vegas or any other team that would acquire him though. Second, the Golden Knights have backup options to place into the lineup if they were to part ways with him. Theodore’s injury limits that a bit, but Kaedan Korczak and Ben Hutton give the Golden Knights an abundance of defensemen, offering flexibility.
To some teams, Hague would be even more valuable than Connelly because he’s already proven at the NHL level. He’s a Stanley Cup champion who can step into any lineup instantly. It’ll all depend on the future outlook of the team involved in the trade.
