Team: 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 2, 2022

Published: Aug. 2, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I decided to see what a VGK that didn't do the Eichel trade looked with with fairly minimal change.

Stuff of note:
-Dadonov still gets cap dumped for Weber - alternatively, Smith just doesn't extend with Vegas
-I also sent Brossoit away as a cap dump to fit rough extensions for Hague/Roy under the cap
-I still don't have cap space for Kolesar, though it could be made fairly easily if Vegas really wanted to keep him
-I am assuming Nolan Patrick is still out, because let's be honest, his career is probably over

My personal thoughts: as far as cap casualties go compared to VGK in the no-Eichel timeline, Vegas still would've had to choose someone (likely Dadonov or Smith - I chose Dadonov here) to be a salary cap casualty. In light of that, I'd say Vegas ultimately gave up Tuch, Krebs, a 1st, a 2nd, and Pacioretty as a result of the Eichel trade. As far as this roster goes compared to the present VGK roster, Vegas has a 1C-shaped hole instead of their current Pacioretty-shaped hole. Of course, Stephenson is still pretty good while keeping Tuch and Krebs makes the roster substantially deeper.

Would I make the Eichel trade again? Looking now, I probably still would - Tuch/Krebs/Pacioretty/1st/2nd is likely still worth it if Eichel ends up being the franchise center we were promised. Ask again next offseason.

1.

2.

3.