When Vegas traded for Noah Hanifin on Wednesday, a condition in the deal stated what the Calgary Flames would receive if the Golden Knights no longer had their 2025 first-round pick by Sunday.
That meant the Golden Knights had another deal in the works and their Friday trade for San Jose Sharks All-Star Tomas Hertl shocked the hockey world.
Hertl is currently hurt but is due back before the playoffs. He, coveted defenseman Hanifin and big-bodied 20-goal scorer Anthony Mantha will make the Golden Knights a tough opponent as they try to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. If injured Mark Stone and Alec Martinez return for the first round, the team is even more formidable.
The Golden Knights get an A- for their trade deadline work. Here are other notable teams’ grades:
Carolina Hurricanes: A-
Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov are proven playoff performers. Guentzel has 34 career playoff goals and Kuznetsov was dominant during the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run. There are some risks. The Hurricanes gave up Michael Bunting, three prospects and picks for a player who could choose to leave in free agency. Kuznetsov is going through a tough season and he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program in February. But the Hurricanes’ additions should make a difference after they lost four consecutive one-goal games in last season’s conference…
