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2025 NHL Trade Deadline: Vegas Golden Knights Wishlist

Vegas Golden Knights
What should the Vegas Golden Knights do during the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline? Check out the ideal wishlist for the team inside the post! (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

2025 NHL Trade Deadline: Vegas Golden Knights Wishlist

Last year, the Vegas Golden Knights absolutely put on a clinic at the NHL Trade Deadline. They picked up Noah Hanifin and a total shocker with Tomas Hertl completely setting up their team for this year. The VGK are arguably the best team in the NHL and really don’t have many holes on their roster.

Heading into the 2025 NHL Deadline, it doesn’t feel like the team has much to accomplish. The goalie tandem of Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov has been more than adequate. Vegas is about 10 deep on D and that’s not an exaggeration. It’s a matter of if they can find a scoring punch at the winger spot that makes sense.

There is also this factor to keep in mind for the VGK heading into the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline. Who the hell are you taking out of the lineup? Alexander Holtz hasn’t exactly popped but it also feels stupid to give up on him this soon. The guy has a nasty shot and slowly things are starting to click for him. Tanner Pearson has been really good in his role all season. More than anything, you’re bracing for an injury. That’s about it. This team is absolutely loaded.

Realistically, you have one spot you can add here. Pearson likely leaves after the season after a successful PTO. Brett Howden (who has also been damn good this year) can go back down to the 4th line for whoever you bring in. That’s long term. Short term, maybe you sit Holtz. Plus, there are always injuries to account for. Either way, let’s examine who the VGK may be poking around on when the deadline inches closer.

4: Jonathan Marchessault (Nashville Predators)

This one is more of a long shot but I think it’s a long shot worth talking about. We all know why Vegas let Marchessault walk. They didn’t want to pay him the five year term he was looking for. Nashville happily obliged. Thus far, it’s looking like Vegas made the right call.

Marchessault, 34, has 14 goals this season, which is a far cry from the 42 he scored a season ago. The underlying metrics have fallen off here too. He’s certainly not a fast skater, isn’t impactful defensively, and it feels like only a matter of time before the $5.5 AAV Nashville is paying him comes back to bite them. There is a reason why Nashville stinks.

However, Barry Trotz is acting like a deranged lunatic. What if Nashville is willing to retain on this deal? Would Nashville retain to the point where you can get this deal down to like $3 million? Highly unlikely but based on how Trotz has operated, you can’t rule anything out. Especially if Vegas can part with an asset to make Nashville really think about it.

Doubt it happens but it’s worth a phone call.

3: Patrick Kane (Detroit Red Wings)

Vegas is a team that values its defensive structure above all. It’s the identity of the team. For that reason, Kane doesn’t really feel like a fit. Then again, Kane does the one thing that this team lacks. The guy can be an offensive force and it could be the exact thing they need.

Detroit is also in a weird spot. They are very much pushing for a playoff spot. I don’t see this one happening but if Detroit really falls out of it, Kane could be on the move.

2: Reilly Smith (New York Rangers)

Speaking of possible homecomings, I think these last two represent the most realistic outcomes for Vegas. Smith fits the Vegas system. Defensive minded, can help on the PK, and can add that middle six scoring punch they’re looking for.

This will depend on if the Rangers fall out of the playoff race but Smith coming back makes all the sense in the world. Smith, 33, is an impending free agent after the season and carries a $5 million AAV. The good news is Pittsburgh is eating $1.25 million of that already.

Vegas could get someone to retain on that figure even more and it shouldn’t cost them a ton either. Smith has 20 points in 42 games with New York this year. It won’t cost an arm and a leg to bring him back. Putting him back on the third line with William Karlsson? Sure seems to make a lot of sense. Even if it’s as a rental for one playoff run.

1: Trent Frederic (Boston Bruins)

I feel like I know Kelly McCrimmon pretty well. I feel like I know Bruce Cassidy pretty well too. I watch 95% of all Vegas games for the last three years or so. I bet you this is their number one target.

Frederic, 26, is an impending free agent after this season. The Bruins could move him if they can’t get an extension done. Getting an extension done in a tax-free state sure helps get things done.

The former first round pick out of Wisconsin feels like a perfect playoff guy. He fights and can provide lower level scoring. He also played for Cassidy in Boston and should have an understanding what the coaching staff expects. When Paul Cotter left town, they haven’t replaced that style of player in the lineup. Frederic represents a much higher version of that.

Frederic isn’t having the best season this year but scored 17 and 18 goals the two years prior. He can also play some center in a pinch too. It’s like adding another mini Barbashev to the team. The exact type of move that got them over the hump during the first playoff run. Frederic feels perfect. We’ll see if they can make it happen.

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