Golden Knights After Top Forward?
The Vegas Golden Knights have a reputation for pursuing the most dazzling talents available in the hockey world, and Elias Pettersson might be their next target.
Chris Gawlik of Vegas Hockey Now recently shared an audacious idea: the Golden Knights acquiring Pettersson, who's fresh off a 102-point season and has just one year left on his current restricted free-agent contract. Pettersson is undeniably a top player that any team would covet.
Here's the proposal:
The pitch: The salary cap is projected to go up by $4.2 million in the 2024-25 season and $4.5 million the following season.
Stephenson and Marchessault [both come off Vegas' books in 2024] combine for a salary cap hit of $8.75 million in 2023-24. Their market value in 2024-25 elevates to $11.5 million. That eats up $2.75 million of the $4.2 million cap increase.
The Golden Knights have their first three round's worth of draft picks for 2024, 2025, and 2026. A package of draft picks and prospects could possibly get a deal done for Pettersson.
Stephenson and Marchessault [both come off Vegas' books in 2024] combine for a salary cap hit of $8.75 million in 2023-24. Their market value in 2024-25 elevates to $11.5 million. That eats up $2.75 million of the $4.2 million cap increase.
The Golden Knights have their first three round's worth of draft picks for 2024, 2025, and 2026. A package of draft picks and prospects could possibly get a deal done for Pettersson.
Must read on Daily Hockey Dose
The proposal is ambitious but plausible, particularly if Vegas is prepared to part with valuable assets. Given the team's history of high-profile acquisitions like Alex Pietrangelo and Jack Eichel, who's to say they won't go all-in for Pettersson?
Is a Pettersson Trade Actually on the Horizon?
At this point, it's difficult to predict. Pettersson is focused on winning, but the Vancouver Canucks haven't shown themselves to be genuine contenders. Apart from Pettersson and Quinn Hughes, the team is considerably struggling.
With just a single year remaining on his existing contract, Pettersson could opt not to re-sign with the Canucks due to their current position in the league.
At just 24 years old, Pettersson hasn't reached his prime yet. As he gets better and plays with more talented teammates, he'll likely become the star he's poised to become.
As seen on House of Hockey - RUMOR: Vegas Kicking Tires On Pettersson?
| POLL | ||
31 AOUT | 45 ANSWERS Rumor: Vegas Golden Knights Linked to Top Forward Do you think Pettersson will be traded out of Vancouver at some point? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 64.4 % |
| No | 16 | 35.6 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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