Golden Knights Trade Zack Hayes to Carolina for Future Considerations

The Vegas Golden Knights have traded minor league defenseman Zack Hayes to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations. The deal was announced Wednesday afternoon by Golden Knight's general manager Kelly McCrimmon.

Hayes is an undrafted 23-year-old defenseman with four games of NHL experience. This season he has played in 14 games with the Henderson Silver Knights and has one assist. He played in a quartet of games for the VGK last season when the team battled injuries.

"Zack is a young defenseman who will add to our organizational depth on the blue line. He is an experienced leader who knows how to play physically on the back end," said Hurricanes general manager Don Waddell.

The 6'3", the 224-pound defenseman will join former Golden Knights Max Pacioretty and Dylan Coghlan in Raleigh. Both were traded to the Hurricanes this past offseason, also for future considerations.

This deal may seem like a small move, but it could be a precursor to a bigger transaction. With Hayes gone, the Golden Knights have freed up a contract/roster spot, as with Hayes, they were at the NHL's maximum of 50 signed contracts.

This move could relate to the future of Laurent Brossoit, the Golden Knight's 2021-22 backup goaltender who is currently with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL. He is there on a conditioning stint after 

Elsewhere in Golden Knights transaction news, the team is still without Alex Pietrangelo for personal reasons and recalled defenseman Daniil Miromanov from the Henderson Silver Knights for depth. Forward Brett Howden has also been placed in injured reserve (lower-body).