Golden Knights Reportedly Interested In Blues’ Noel Acciari

The Vegas Golden Knights are reportedly interested in trading for a St. Louis Blues player. But it is not Vladamir Tarasenko or Ryan O'Reilly, rather, forward Noel Acciari. Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the VGK's interest in the latest edition of the 32 Thoughts Podcast.

"I think Edmonton is in on Acciari too, but that Vegas thing, they are really struggling and I think they are going to do something the question is just when," said Friedman, who mentioned that head coach Bruce Cassidy coached Acciari in the Boston Bruins organization.

Acciari is a 31-year-old center who has played for three teams in his NHL career; the Bruins, Blues, and Florida Panthers. This season he has 18 points in 51 games played as the Blues continue to struggle and inch toward selling at the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.

"Do I think (Vladamir) Tarasenko is going to get traded? Yes, I think he will. Do I think (Ryan) O'Reilly is going to get traded? Yes, I'm coming more around to that, absolutely. But I think they've got some other pieces, like (Noel) Acciari, and (Ivan) Barbashev," Friedman said in a Jan. 24 edition of 32 Thoughts.

Acciari could be a valuable depth addition for the Golden Knights and help them establish a strong third line. He shouldn't cost as much as someone like O'Reilly or Tarasenko and could likely be fetched for a mid-round pick. He carries a cap hit of $1.25 million.

The Golden Knight's cap situation (and season overall) are currently being held up by the status of captain Mark Stone, who has been injured for the last eight games. 

"Someone said to me, depending on particularly what Vegas' injury situation is, they could see Vegas liking (Noel) Acciari and (Ivan) Barbashev. Who’s coaching Vegas? (Bruce Cassidy). Accairi was in Boston with Cassidy and Cassidy saw Barbashev play very well in the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals," said Friedman.

If, God forbid, Stone's injury is to his back or takes him out for the season the Golden Knights could put his contract on LTIR to free up an additional $9.5 million in cap space. The team currently has roughly $3.8 million in space, but that is with defensemen Zach Whitecloud also on LTIR.

Now would be a fitting time for the Golden Knights to make a trade as they are off this week for their bye week and for the NHL All-Star Weekend. That event, which will feature head coach Bruce Cassidy, Logan Thompson, and now Chandler Stephenson will begin on Feb. 3rd at 4:00 p.m.