Golden Knights and Flames: Breaking Down the Big Trade and Future Moves
The hockey world was buzzing when the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights pulled off one of the most significant trades of the season. In January, the Flames sent right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson to the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Golden Knights, in exchange for prospect Abram Wiebe, Zach Whitecloud, a top-10 protected 2027 first-round pick, and a conditional 2028 second-round pick that could escalate to a first if Vegas clinches another Cup.
Initially, some questioned the return for Andersson, one of the top defensemen available. However, when the New York Rangers traded Artemi Panarin for a prospect and some future picks, the Flames' haul started to look more impressive.
The Flames, sitting near the bottom of the standings, might not be finished dealing. With several veterans potentially on the block, including Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, MacKenzie Weegar, and Ryan Lomberg, Calgary could be active as the deadline approaches.
Golden Knights’ Cap Space and Needs
Heading into the Olympic break, the Golden Knights have just over $4.653 million in cap space, largely due to players on long-term injured reserve. With Alex Pietrangelo and his hefty cap hit on season-ending LTIR, and both William Karlsson and Brayden McNabb sidelined, the Knights are technically over the cap if those players return.
Defensively, Vegas looks solid. Andersson joins a blue line featuring Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, Ben Hutton, and Kaedan Korczak. Adding Weegar doesn’t align with their needs or cap situation, especially after moving Whitecloud.
Offensively, they might seek a top-nine winger. With Karlsson’s status uncertain, Blake Coleman could be a target.
Despite not reaching his previous 30-goal heights, Coleman brings two Stanley Cup rings and a solid 13 goals and 21 points this season. His $4.9 million cap hit fits if Karlsson remains out, especially with retention options, as Coleman’s deal runs through 2026-27.
Kadri, however, doesn’t seem to fit due to cap constraints and their depth at center.
What Vegas Can Offer
The Golden Knights’ trade assets are limited. Their first-round picks for 2026, 2027, and potentially 2028 are already tied up. They do hold their second-round selections for 2026 and 2027, but that alone might not secure Coleman.
To sweeten the deal, Vegas might need to include a prospect. However, their farm system isn’t particularly deep. Trevor Connelly leads their prospects, with Mathieu Cataford, Matyas Sapovaliv, and Jakob Ihs-Wozniak also in the mix.
On the roster, young talents like Braeden Bowman and Kaedan Korczak are valuable but unlikely to be moved without creating another gap.
If the Flames and Golden Knights were to strike another deal before the March 6 trade deadline, it would likely involve a second-round pick and a prospect.
In the fast-paced world of NHL trades, the Flames and Golden Knights are teams to watch, each maneuvering for future success.