With the Olympic break giving teams a moment to breathe, the NHL trade deadline is now less than a month away-and for the Vegas Golden Knights, the clock is ticking on what’s shaping up to be another aggressive push. Despite a season that’s featured more turbulence than they’re used to, the Golden Knights are still sitting atop the Pacific Division. But make no mistake: this is a team with championship aspirations, and they’re not going to sit still.
A Rocky Road to the Top
Vegas entered the season as one of the Pacific’s top dogs, and while they’ve managed to hang onto the division lead, it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Injuries have taken a toll, leading to a pair of five-game losing streaks and a record that’s strong on paper but a bit deceiving under the hood. Offensively and defensively, they’ve hovered around league average-not quite the dominant two-way force we’ve seen in the past.
Still, this is a veteran group that knows how to win. And more importantly, it’s backed by a front office that doesn’t hesitate when it sees a window. They’ve already made one move on the blue line, and with the deadline approaching, expect GM Kelly McCrimmon and his staff to stay aggressive.
Where Things Stand
- Record: 27-16-14
- Pacific Division Rank: 1st
- Playoff Probability: 93.2% (via MoneyPuck)
- Deadline Cap Space: $4.653 million (all via LTIR)
- Contract Slots Used: 50/50
- Retention Slots Used: 0/3
Vegas is clearly in buyer mode, but they’re also navigating some tricky cap gymnastics. A big chunk of their current flexibility comes from LTIR placements for William Karlsson and Brayden McNabb. Once those two return, the Golden Knights will be operating much closer to a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario.
Goaltending Decisions on the Horizon
One name to keep an eye on: Akira Schmid. The young netminder has stepped up admirably this season, posting a 2.53 GAA and a .895 save percentage across 29 games.
But with Adin Hill healthy again and Carter Hart expected back post-break, Vegas may have a logjam in the crease. Hart hasn’t had his best season, but the extra year on his deal suggests he’s part of the long-term plan.
Schmid, a pending RFA with a cap hit of just $875K, could draw interest from teams in need of goaltending help. He’s affordable, playing well, and might be the kind of asset that helps Vegas balance their roster-or bring in help elsewhere.
Cap Considerations and Roster Flexibility
If Vegas does need to shed salary, Jeremy Lauzon is a name that could come up. The physical blueliner carries a $2 million cap hit and is on an expiring deal.
That’s not a number that breaks the bank, but if the Golden Knights are looking to fine-tune their third pairing or create room for a bigger move, Lauzon could be on the move. He’d likely have value on his own as a depth add for another playoff team.
And then there’s the contract limit. Vegas is the only team in the NHL currently maxed out at 50 active contracts.
That’s a problem when you’re trying to add at the deadline. If they want to bring in reinforcements, they’ll need to clear a spot-either by including a player in a deal or making a separate move to open up space.
Prospect Pool and Trade Chips
The Golden Knights have thinned out their prospect pool over the years, dealing picks and young players to stay competitive. But they’ve still got a few pieces that could be used to sweeten a deal.
- Trevor Connelly, their 2024 first-rounder, has only managed 17 games this season due to injuries, but he’s shown flashes and still carries NHL upside. Teams will ask.
- Braeden Bowman has spent most of the season with the big club and is establishing himself as a full-time NHLer. Vegas likely wants to keep him, but other GMs will be calling.
- Kai Uchacz recently made his NHL debut and could be a secondary piece in a trade, especially if Vegas is targeting depth.
Then there’s Alexander Holtz, the former seventh-overall pick who’s still trying to find his footing. He’s had an inconsistent year and hasn’t fully clicked in Vegas, but he just turned 24 and has another cheap year left on his deal. He’s the kind of player a rebuilding team might want to take a flier on-especially if it means getting him instead of a mid-round pick or a lower-tier prospect.
What They Need
1. Contract Space
Before anything else, Vegas has to solve the numbers game. With all 50 contract slots filled, they’re boxed in.
Any additions will require subtractions, which adds a layer of complexity to every potential deal.
2. Depth Scoring
Assuming they’re set on defense after the Andersson addition, the next priority is up front. The top six has pulled its weight-every forward in that group has at least 16 goals and 41 points-but the drop-off after that is steep.
No other forward has hit the 10-goal mark, and Bowman is the only one outside the top six with 20 points (right on the dot).
Reilly Smith and Brandon Saad have underwhelmed, and Karlsson’s absence (just 14 games played) has left a noticeable gap. Adding a forward who can slot into the third line but jump up when needed could be a game-changer. Combine that with Karlsson’s eventual return, and suddenly the Golden Knights could be looking at a much more dangerous offensive group down the stretch.
The Golden Knights are in a familiar position: contending, banged up, and looking to make a move. The pieces are there, the cap space is (for now) available, and the front office has never been shy about going all-in.
Don’t be surprised if Vegas is one of the more active teams as the deadline approaches-because for this group, it’s not about making the playoffs. It’s about making another run at the Cup.