The Vegas Golden Knights are at it again, swinging big at the trade deadline-and this time, they've landed Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. It’s another aggressive move from a front office that’s made a habit of flipping first-round picks for proven talent. In this deal, Vegas parts with at least one first-rounder, with a second potentially on the table if they go all the way and hoist the Cup again.
This is classic Golden Knights hockey ops: push all the chips in and bet on now. It worked in 2023 when they captured the Stanley Cup. But while the blue line just got a boost with Andersson, the crease remains a question mark-and that’s where things get complicated.
Adin Hill, the netminder who backstopped their Cup run, has struggled to stay healthy this season. He’s only appeared in seven games, and while the Knights still believe in his long-term potential, availability is starting to outweigh ability.
Carter Hart was brought in to stabilize things, but that experiment has fizzled-he’s now on the shelf with an injury of his own. Akira Schmid?
He hasn’t looked like a playoff-caliber starter this year.
Since entering the league, Vegas has had a bit of a revolving door in net. From Marc-André Fleury to Robin Lehner to Hill, they’ve had talent, but not long-term stability.
Fleury was the face of the franchise early on, but since his departure, finding a true No. 1 has been a challenge. Hill could still be that guy, but his health remains a major concern heading into the stretch run.
And here’s the tricky part: the Golden Knights have now traded away their first-round picks through 2027-and possibly even 2028. That leaves them without premium assets to dangle in a thin goalie market, especially with so many teams in the Eastern Conference still within striking distance of a playoff spot. But there are a few names worth watching.
One intriguing option? Jonathan Quick.
Yes, that Jonathan Quick-the veteran who played a short but memorable stint with Vegas during their 2023 Cup run. He’s currently backing up in New York, but with the Rangers signaling they’ll be sellers at the deadline (thanks to a January letter from GM Chris Drury), Quick could be on the move.
He’s on an expiring deal, knows the system, and wouldn’t require a long-term commitment. For a team looking for a steady hand behind Hill-or even someone who can step in if needed-Quick makes a lot of sense.
Another name to keep an eye on is Petr Mrazek in Anaheim. The Ducks started the season strong but have since faded, and Mrazek, currently serving as a backup, could be a solid depth pickup. He’s also on an expiring deal and wouldn’t cost a fortune.
Then there’s the situation in Pittsburgh. The Oilers moved on from Stuart Skinner after a pair of Stanley Cup Final appearances, shipping him to the Penguins following a string of tough outings.
Tristan Jarry has locked down the starting role in Pittsburgh, and if the Pens fall out of the playoff picture, they could look to move Skinner. That would be a fascinating twist-Vegas potentially adding a former Oilers goalie just in time for a possible playoff showdown.
One wildcard is Carolina’s Frederik Andersen. The Hurricanes have seen Brandon Bussi catch fire between the pipes, which could make Andersen expendable.
Carolina already made a big offseason splash by acquiring K’Andre Miller, and moving Andersen could help them recoup some draft capital. For Vegas, Andersen would bring experience and a calm presence to a crease that could use both.
With the March 6 trade deadline looming, Vegas has options-but they’ll need to get creative. They’ve shown they’re not afraid to deal, and if Hart remains sidelined and Hill can’t return to form, expect the Golden Knights to explore the goalie market hard. Mid-round picks could be enough to land a reliable veteran, and that might be all they need to solidify another deep playoff run.
Vegas has never been shy about chasing the big move. Now, with their blue line bolstered and another postseason push on the horizon, the next piece of the puzzle might just be between the pipes.