Vegas won't trade both Gusev and Eakin, they might let Gusev go for Wahlstrom

Gusev wants 4m and Vegas doesn't have the room to sign him. Eakin is a cap dump for them so they can be closer to fitting within the cap. Vegas would be trading from a point of weakness. Gusevs value is no where close to Wahlstroms

They don't need to dump Eakin if they trade Gusev or visa versa. Vegas passes on the deal then Panthers are offering much more for Gusev

They need to get rid of cap so yeah eakin is a good way of doing it since he is on an expiring deal. It has been said the asking price for Gusev is a 2nd and a lower end prospect.

"The Athletics Jesse Granger (subscription required) indicates that preliminary trade talks have the Golden Knights getting back a second-round pick and a lower-tier prospect in return for Gusev."

That isn't what the ask is, that is what other teams are offering, which clearly isn't enough or the deal would have been done by now.
Florida is looking at trading Tippett, they were not impressed with his performance at development camp.

LMAO got traded for a 2021 2nd and a 2020 3rd. You really thought Vegas would get someone like Tippet or Wahlstrom