The Vegas Golden Knights will be a Stanley Cup contender this season and will likely be buyers at the trade deadline.
The Golden Knights made the big move of the offseason by adding Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade. Yet, Vegas could look to upgrade its blue line with Alex Pietrangelo injured, NHL insider Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report predicts the Golden Knights will trade for Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the trade deadline.
“The Penguins are rebuilding and are no longer a playoff contender. Karlsson is 35 and hasn’t played well in Pittsburgh, but he elevated his game for his native Sweden during the 4 Nations Face Off Tournament in February,” Richardson wrote. “He could waive his no-movement clause to go to a contender. The Vegas Golden Knights have a reputation for making bold moves, especially at the trade deadline (hello there, Tomáš Hertl).”
“With Alex Pietrangelo’s career likely over, they need an experienced right-shot defenseman on their top pairing,” Richardson added. “Karlsson plays a more offensive style than Pietrangelo, which could bolster their scoring punch. The Penguins would have to retain half of their $10 million share of Karlsson’s cap hit, and the Golden Knights might have to include a roster player along with a draft pick in the return, but they could find a way to make it happen.”
Karlsson has two years left on his eight-year, $92 million deal. But, Pittsburgh would retain money to make it affordable for Vegas to have Karlsson for two playoff runs.
Karlsson recorded 11 goals and 42 assists for 53 points in 82 games last season. He’s an offensive defenseman who can add some offense to the back end and run the Golden Knights’ power play.
Golden Knights Lose Pietrangelo to Injury
Vegas trading for Karlsson makes sense as Pietrangelo is dealing with an injury, and his career is likely over.
Pietrangelo was a top-four defenseman who added some offense to the backend. Yet, to begin the offseason, Pietrangelo revealed he’s stepping away from hockey and his career could very well be over.
“The past few years have been very challenging on my physical well-being, and I am in a difficult position with my overall playing health,” Pietrangelo said. “After exploring options with doctors as well as my family, it’s been advised to remove the intensity of hockey to see if my body can improve so that I can return to a normal quality of life. This decision has been difficult to come to terms with after the last 17 years of competition and the camaraderie with my teammates and coaches. The likelihood is low that my body will recover to the standard required to play, but I know this is the right decision for me and my family.”
Pietrangelo helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. He also won the Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.
Insider: Penguins Trying to Trade for Karlsson
Pittsburgh made a bold move to acquire Karlsson in 2023.
However, the move hasn’t worked out, and NHL insider Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet revealed the Penguins are looking to trade Karlsson.
“The Penguins are trying to find a trade involving Karlsson. He has a no-movement clause so would need to be amicable to any trade partner,” Kypreos wrote.
Karlsson is a three-time Norris Winner as the best defenseman in the NHL. He’s a seven-time NHL All-Star.
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