Golden Knights Could Be Potential Trade Partners With Chicago Blackhawks

Just as it seemed the Vegas Golden Knights had figured things out in their bottom six with a strong performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins, they faltered against the Los Angeles Kings Saturday despite injured forwards coming back in the lineup. Head coach Bruce Cassidy shuffled up his line combinations frequently in the game in search of a spark that was ultimately never found.

One bad loss won't usher in any big trades. But forward depth has been an issue for the VGK all season. As we inch closer to the NHL Trade Deadline, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon could make a move to bolster his forward group. 

The Chicago Blackhawks, a team expected to be sellers at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline, could have multiple players the Golden Knights could be interested in.

Blackhawks Trade Chips

The Chicago Blackhawks are last in the Western Conference and do not even have ten wins halfway through the season. They have 12 current roster players on expiring contracts, and will likely move some of these players at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline for picks and prospects.

Kane and Toews

The biggest of these names are Stanley Cup Champions, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Both are in the final years of a $10 million AAV contract and have both been vocal about their upset with the Blackhawk's rebuild.

"In Chicago, we knew that once the calendar flipped, Kane and Toews would sit down and let the Blackhawks know their intentions. As far as I can tell, that has not happened yet, and they haven't nailed down what they are considering doing," said Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts.

While they are both elite players, it is highly unlikely the Golden Knights would go after either unless they want to make a massive cap-altering, prospect-clearing move.

Domi and Athanasiou

It is more likely for the Golden Knights to go in the direction of the two $3 million AAV players the Blackhawks have in Andreas Athanasiou or Max Domi.

Athanasiou has struggled this season, with just 12 points in 37 games played. But he is still a solid depth forward who has scored over 50 points in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. 

Domi could be a serviceable player to the Golden Knights as he can play both wing and center. He has 26 points in 38 games this season and is a known agitator and sparkplug.

However, in a New Year's Eve edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Jeff Marek detailed that Domi could potentially stay in Chicago.

"It seems as if Domi has really found a home in Chicago. The team likes him, the manager Kyle Davidson really likes him, and Domi really enjoys playing in Chicago… we all thought Domi would get moved at the deadline, and he might still, but with Kane and Toews probably moving on at the deadline, I don't think this is the done deal we thought it would be," said Marek.

Other Options

If the Blackhawks do decide to go in full sell mode, there are a couple more intriguing options on their roster, as all but three players have two or fewer years on their current contract.

Depth players Sam Lafferty, Jason Dickinson, and Jujhar Khaira could all be decent depth additions.

Managing the Cap

While the VGK have been getting healthier, general manager Kelly McCrimmon would still need to know a rough timetable on the rest of his injured players so he can figure out how much leverage he has with the NHL salary cap. 

It wouldn't be improbable for the VGK to take on the cap hits of Athanasiou and Domi ($3 million) or the cap hits of the other depth players we mentioned. 

The VGK currently has both Brett Howden and Zach Whitecloud on LTIR, along with out-for-the-season players Robin Lehner, Nolan Patrick, and Shea Weber. This gives the VGK $2.1 million in available cap currently.

Sending players down to the Henderson Silver Knights and potentially trading out a goaltender would only increase this number.

Again, knowing how long both Whitecloud and Howden are out will contribute substantially to any VGK trade deadline plans.

Pricetag

The asking price for both Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane will start at a first-round pick and a top prospect. Both would be tough bargains for an already prospect-dry VGK organization.

According to Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus of The Athletic, Domi could fetch a first-round pick, possibly a second, and Athanasiou a second-round pick, possibly a third or fourth.

The VGK could pay this price, but again, salary cap complications might make this unlikely.

Potential (Healthy) Golden Knights Lineup With Blackhawks Addition

Reilly Smith- Jack Eichel- Jonathan Marchessault

Paul Cotter- Chandler Stephenson- Mark Stone

Max Domi- William Karlsson- Michael Amadio

Will Carrier- Nicolas Roy- Keegan Kolesar

Spares: Brett Howden, Phil Kessel, 

Other VGK trade targets: James van Riemsdyk and Bo Horvat.