Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights Trade Targets; Rantanen Moving Again?

The Vegas Golden Knights won’t play until next Saturday at 7 p.m., which isn’t for another 275 hours– but who’s counting, right? NHL insiders expect some moves to be made over this two-week break, so instead of just sitting around and missing hockey– or coming to terms with our own mortality– let’s look at some realistic Golden Knights trade targets. Oh, wait, what’s that you say, Elliotte Friedman? The Golden Knights might go big-game hunting after all? Sure, why not!

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, Sidney Crosby will, in fact, play for Team Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, much to the relief of hockey fans everywhere. Oh, also, remember the Mikko Rantanen trade? Remember how crazy that was? Well, the only thing that would be crazier is if Rantanen would be flipped again… which, apparently, he might be.

Golden Knights News

It’s going to be a long two weeks without Golden Knights hockey. We’ll get through it together. In the meantime, five Golden Knights will be in action for the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament. We got our first look at their linemates and defensive partners when the teams held their first practices yesterday.

I don’t think the Golden Knights will go big-game hunting at this year’s Trade Deadline. I think General Manager Kelly McCrimmon will be active, but I have a hunch that he’ll target depth acquisitions instead.

Elliotte Friedman disagrees with me, as is his prerogative. The St. Louis Blues are taking calls on all their players, and Friedman wonders if the Golden Knights will be in on Brayden Schenn.

NHL News, Trade Talk, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: He hadn’t played since the 2021-22 season, but Loui Eriksson officially announced his retirement from the NHL yesterday.

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche sent shockwaves through the league a few weeks ago when they swapped Mikko Rantanen for Martin Nečas. What’s even more shocking is that the Carolina Hurricanes haven’t ruled out flipping Rantanen again before the deadline.

Detroit Hockey Now: Dominik Hašek responds to Henrik Zetterberg’s regret over the International Ice Hockey Federation not allowing Russians to compete in the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Canadians everywhere who were holding their breath can now exhale. Sidney Crosby is in for Team Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, and he’ll suit up tomorrow night against Sweden.

NHL History: On February 11th, 1950, Gordie “Mr. Hockey” Howe scored his first of 19 career hat tricks. But it was just a regular hat trick, mind you.