Vegas The Center Of Trade Talk Again? Maybe Not

Over the past eight seasons, the Golden Knights have built a strong reputation for their aggressive attitude toward acquiring or moving players off and on their roster, especially around the trade deadline portion of the NHL season. Vegas has completed 17 deals during the league’s silly season, including three a year ago. However, the front office hinted that things could be quiet this time around for the 31st franchise.

Local reporter and friend of the site, Danny Webster wrote this week that Vegas isn’t anticipating making any deadline splashes this season. The club is mostly satisfied with the makeup of the roster and is looking to supplement the team with some reinforcements while impact players like Shea Theodore and William Karlsson are likely capable of returning. However, some analysts are skeptical of VGK’s front office’s statement.

You’ve got to think teams like Vegas, Dallas Winnipeg, Florida, Tampa, Toronto. I wonder what you can get for him with that kind of competition. –Elliotte Friedman, 32 Thoughts Podcast

In his latest column, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pondered if Vegas would be in the mix for top-tiered winger Mikko Rantanen at the deadline. There are reports that the Carolina Hurricanes could move the prized sniper they acquired a month ago from Colorado. It would likely be a pure rental for Vegas but it’s impossible to find a better lease at any deadline.

With the deadline only 13 days away, the Golden Knights will hit the ice five more times before the clock strikes noon Pacific. The front office may be being fully transparent, and Vegas will not lead the headlines on March 7th. However, Golden Knights fans have been told to not to get their hopes up too high in the past, only to read SinBin’s breaking news minutes later about Vegas acquiring Mark Stone, Robin Lehner, Noah Hanifin, or Tomas Hertl.

There was a report that correctly reported that Brayden Schenn was out there and available. That really spiraled things and that chatter really had a trickle effect throughout the first week of the 4 Nations tournament. A lot of people were talking about St. Louis could possibly do. We know that Vegas is a team that is never afraid to make a bold move ahead of the deadline. They have been linked to Brayden Schenn. It does sound like Vegas is looking to make another type of splash ahead of the deadline. –David Pagnotta, The Fourth Period

If you think back to last year, there were no indications the Golden Knights were after a defensive player. Sure, we knew Hanifin was on the market, but Vegas was never mentioned in any report. Nor was the hockey world aware that San Jose was willing to move Tomas Hertl inside the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights front office did and successfully brokered a deal for Hertl.

Brad Marchand, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, Rickard Rakell, Rantanen, and Schenn lead the lists of possibly available players. Several, if not all would fit well in Vegas and could be that additional piece that returns the 31st franchise to the Stanley Cup Finals. Depending on who you believe, this season’s trade deadline could be relatively quiet or heavily involve the Golden Knights. Time to get your refresh finger in top shape for the upcoming days.