Team: 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 26, 2022

Published: Apr. 26, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

First off, I have been a huge hater of Vegas, but I kinda like them as a villain in the league and as of right now I want them to make the playoffs over Dallas. Odd for me to say as a Flames fan, but I like the idea of them being a strong villain or at the very least having their hopes lifted and then immediately crushed in the playoffs in the first round. I can only dream. But this isn't about that so let's see what we can do for next year since I don't see success this year. Remember, this is just for fun and I might botch these trades value-wise. I'm not a GM, plus a lot of GMs are also stupid (cough, Chuck Fletcher, cough).

Brossoit trade - I really like Thompson in net, battling with Lehner for the year. He holds the keys for Vegas's future in net, it's up to him what to do with it. This move is purely a cap dump too. I think Philly would be willing to take Brossoit as a somewhat reliable backup when healthy, plus it's only for one year and it's Chuck Fletcher, he would for sure make this trade.

Dadonov Trade: Sadly, this still had to happen. Vegas desperately needs cap relief and he's the deadweight. After the debacle this year, Vegas has to send value with him, I'd say to Columbus purely because he gives them good scoring and they'll have that cap next year and continue to add to the youth there.

McNabb Trade: Another trade for cap relief of sorts. I believe Hague is ready to step up and take his place full-time for a bit cheaper. This deal won't require Vegas to give up value as McNabb is solid and should get a nice return. Drury doesn't seem to be making the Canes deep forward group any time soon and should make a good impact in Vegas right away. I am debating on whether or not Vegas should add a late-round pick or if this is fair.

Zadina Trade: I think Zadina would fit well in a Vegas group getting put with Eichel and spreading the offensive wealth. I think he'd be on the cheaper side for his new deal and he wouldn't cost a ton to get, maybe a prospect, a roster player, and a mid-rounder.

New Contracts: Essentially bring back all depth guys and Smith and Hague for team-friendly deals. Nothing too much on UFA signings, I am very confident in this cast when fully healthy as well as any depth needs. Defense appears strong to me and I think Dorofyev and Brisson might make the team out of camp and create some solid internal competition within the forward group. I think the defensive depth past the top 6 might need some work, but it's manageable.

Draft: Nothing too flashy here, they need a good left-handed defensive prospect or winger to add depth. I like what they have so far but the future on the wing is scarce, the opposite of their problem before the Eichel trade. As said in my Flames post, I like Koromyslov, but if they could get Jagger Firkus or Gleb Trikozov to drop to their second-rounder, I think those would be great picks.

Overall, I don't think these moves guarantee success. I think they are very high-risk high-reward. Zadina and Drury and hoping for a Dorofyev and even a Brisson breakthrough might be too much to ask for. I think the defense could still use more depth, but sadly for Vegas, the cap exists. The offense I feel good about either way because it is spread out and I like what it could bring, To me, goaltending should be alright given Lehner bounces back and recovers well and Thompson continues his upward trajectory. This team has many questions but I do think they are still going to be a playoff team and have a future at that. Thanks everyone!

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