Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic spoke with Vegas Golden Knights’ GM George McPhee to ask him about the impending season and how his team is shaping up. The veteran executive is extremely pleased with how things have turned out so far, and said that there may be as many as eight spots still up for grabs in training camp. The Golden Knights have been the topic of much trade speculation in recent weeks, as they still seem to have too many defenseman to start the year. McPhee won’t be rushed into a move though, and told LeBrun that the team is “not squirming.”
The Golden Knights currently have ten defensemen on one-way contracts, plus Shea Theodore and Jake Bischoff who both could be ready for full-time duty this year. That dozen will have to be reduced by at least three, with only Theodore and Bischoff waiver-exempt. Though the Golden Knights aren’t in much danger of losing an asset—burying a contract like Clayton Stoner’s in the minors has little chance of backfiring—they still could use their position as one of power in the late stages of the preseason. Already clubs are starting to feel the pinch of injuries (just ask St. Louis, who have also lost Alex Steen for the rest of camp) and with solid NHL contributors like Brayden McNabb, Jon Merrill and Colin Miller all dressed in grey and gold, the team could still make moves for future assets.
McPhee also reveals that he’s not against extending some of his pending free agents rather than trading them, though it’s not clear which ones he would consider. Though James Neal and Jon Marchessault may be deserved of contracts, both also carry huge trade value now and throughout the season. Moving them is likely a much better move than extending them, even if the Golden Knights are better than expected this year.