The beginning of the free agency period often makes it clear what vision teams around the NHL are trying to put together for themselves.
For the Vegas Golden Knights, that vision is coming together in the form of an overhaul to their depth.
In the early hours of free agency officially opening on July 1, the Golden Knights were struck with two bottom-six forwards changing addresses for the upcoming season. Colton Sissons was first to head off to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a two-year deal worth $4.25 million annually. Cole Smith would follow soon after, as the trade deadline acquisition parlayed Vegas' Stanley Cup Finals run into a three-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks with an annual cap hit of $3 million.
Then, the Golden Knights completed a trade with the Detroit Red Wings that saw fourth-line mainstay Keegan Kolesar head off to Hockeytown in exchange for a third-round pick in 2029 and a seventh-round pick in 2027.
Now, Vegas has an extra $2.5 million opened up on their books and a forward group now riddled with holes in the bottom of the lineup. With that in mind, what options do the Golden Knights reasonably have right now?
For the Vegas Golden Knights, that vision is coming together in the form of an overhaul to their depth.
In the early hours of free agency officially opening on July 1, the Golden Knights were struck with two bottom-six forwards changing addresses for the upcoming season. Colton Sissons was first to head off to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a two-year deal worth $4.25 million annually. Cole Smith would follow soon after, as the trade deadline acquisition parlayed Vegas' Stanley Cup Finals run into a three-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks with an annual cap hit of $3 million.
Then, the Golden Knights completed a trade with the Detroit Red Wings that saw fourth-line mainstay Keegan Kolesar head off to Hockeytown in exchange for a third-round pick in 2029 and a seventh-round pick in 2027.
Now, Vegas has an extra $2.5 million opened up on their books and a forward group now riddled with holes in the bottom of the lineup. With that in mind, what options do the Golden Knights reasonably have right now?
2 months ago
