Report: Vegas still poised to make a deal

Loaded with blue liners, GM George McPhee is still in control of the offseason market. Who goes next via trade?

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Vegas still poised to make a deal
Keystone Press

When Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee loaded up the team’s initial roster with 15 defenseman during the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, his strategy was clear: acquire as many valuable assets as possible, regardless of their position. And while the team is now down to just 11 from their original 15 after trading away Marc Methot, Trevor Van Riemsdyk, Alexei Emelin and David Schlemko, McPhee still has some interesting chips to play on the trade market. 

Five Vegas blue liners are on expiring deals and could make intriguing rental players for several NHL contenders, including: Jason Garrison, Luca Sbisa, Brayden McNabb, Deryk Engelland and Clayton Stoner. It’s likely that youngsters Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore will remain with the team given their potential and upside. Ditto, but to a lesser degree for both Colin Miller and Griffin Reinhart, as well. First round selection Erik Brannstrom is the lone untouchable.

What’s interesting is that, according to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, McPhee is in no rush to make a move, saying “We’re at a manageable number right now. We’re pretty close to where we want to be and we’re comfortable with the roster we have.”

Maybe McPhee is merely waiting to see how his roster takes shape during training camp? Inevitably the nature of competition will make things clearer for the GM in terms of who stays and who goes. Or maybe, just maybe, he’s serious about heading into the season with 11 capable NHL defenders? Time will tell.