The Vegas Golden Knights had a few absences and one notable addition to the morning skate today, as both Mark Stone and Nicolas Hague were missing due to COVID protocols. Neither will play tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, according to Jesse Granger of The Athletic. Still, it wasn’t all bad news as Max Pacioretty was on the ice taking part and will travel with the team–and could even play–on their upcoming road trip. Vegas heads to Washington for a match on Monday, the first in a four-game road trip.
Losing Stone is obviously a huge blow, as the 29-year-old is arguably the team’s most important forward. Named captain just over a year ago, the two-way winger brings point-per-game production while being one of the most celebrated defensive players in the league. He’s finished in the top five for Selke Trophy voting in each of the last three seasons, including being a finalist in the shortened 2020-21 campaign. With seven goals and 26 points in 23 games this season he’s off to another strong start, even with the missed time due to injury.
Hague too is an important piece, though he was already out with an injury and hasn’t played since December. The 6’6″ defenseman has developed into a reliable option for the Golden Knights, averaging more than 18 minutes a night behind the team’s top options. In 32 games Hague has even collected 13 points, all of them coming at even-strength.
It’s Pacioretty’s appearance that will raise some eyebrows though, as the Golden Knights continue to approach a tricky cap situation. Jack Eichel is skating and scheduled to return to the lineup in another month or so, by which point the team will need some extra cap space to activate him. Pacioretty’s injury would have afforded them some additional time if he was still out when Eichel returned, but that obviously won’t be the case if he’s ready to play on the upcoming road trip. The 33-year-old winger scored 12 goals and 21 points in his first 16 games, but underwent wrist surgery in December. At that point he was ruled out indefinitely; now just three weeks later he appears on the brink of a return.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
What is the consequence if both guys come back and they are above the cap with everyone healthy?
Eichel on waivers
WOW, with Patches returning who is going into the LTIR carousal come next month????? Hmm, Daddy and a 1st to some lucky buyer!
link to puckpedia.com
according to mentioned above the Knights are in a large conundrum as indicated they are way over with even using LTIR thou that will change soon when Paciorety hits the ice, I see them having to move money out to bring Eichel in as well , so Dadonov & Reilly Smith who both carry contracts of $5 million will have to be moved out to clear some if any cap room , not sure if possible of same for Karlsson or a Defenseman and their salaries , some moves will have to be made.
Note: Not exactly have true understanding of the Salary Cap or contracts issues just saying several players have to be moved to cover the $10 million cap hit by Eichel. very soon!
Could a team with a lot of cap, wanting depth, and not wanting to give away a lot (Panthers) take on a Smith (I get the irony)?