Daily Nuggets

Daily Nuggets: Golden Knights Draft Recap; Impending Marner Trade?

Published

2 weeks ago

June 29, 2025

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitchell Marner (16) carries the puck on his stick during the second period of the NHL regular season game between the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 27, 2024 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. (Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire)

Good morning, folks. On Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights traded up twice in the NHL Entry Draft. They selected four prospects, one of which could turn out to be one of the sneakiest steals of the Draft. Then, Darren Dreger reminded the world what the Golden Knights are really about, reporting that talks of a Mitch Marner sign-and-trade resumed with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Elsewhere in the Daily Nuggets, Sam Bennett ain’t f–ing leaving. The Ottawa Senators took a swing and traded for a young defenseman in need of a change of scenery. Sorry, everyone– according to Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby isn’t leaving Pittsburgh. The John Gibson trade rumors have mercifully come to an end, and the Detroit Red Wings got their goalie.

In a bit of personal news, my move to Vegas officially began yesterday. I managed eight hours of driving, which is impressive considering I paused for three hours to attend a graduation ceremony. Now, I’m home free– I only have 2,026 miles to go!

At least I have all this corn to look at.

Golden Knights News

The Mitch Marner saga has made for some terrific theater over the last five weeks. He’s got his fair share of suitors, but when the Golden Knights want a player, they usually get him. And if that means shipping out two players to acquire Marner’s signing rights, then so be it. Remember, folks– the house always wins. The Golden Knights are inevitable.

Before all the Marner news broke, the Golden Knights made an uncharacteristic move: they traded up in the Draft– twice.The first time, they swapped second-round picks with the Nashville Predators, sending a fourth-round pick as a sweetener. Then, with the 55th overall pick, the Golden Knights selected a speedy scoring winger who could end up being one of the bigger steals of the Draft.

An oldie, but a goodie. As a potential Mitch Marner trade looms, let’s take a look back at some of the best deals in franchise history.

NHL News, Rumors, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: Before the chaos that was day two of the NHL Draft, the Calgary Flames kicked things off by signing defenseman Kevin Bahl to a six-year, $5.35 million contract extension.

Detroit Hockey Now: Praise be– the John Gibson trade rumors are no more! On Saturday, the Red Wings took a big swing and acquired the goaltender from the Anaheim Ducks. Now, let’s get Hockey Town back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

New York Islanders Hockey Now: I don’t know who the losers of the 2025 HL Entry Draft are, but the Islanders sure seem like the clear-cut winner. Just two days after trading Noah Dobson, their future looks brighter than ever. How is that possible?!

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Nope. The rest of the hockey world might want Sidney Crosby to play out the rest of his career on a contending team, but he doesn’t share those sentiments. And neither does his Cole Harbour buddy Nathan MacKinnon, who promptly shut down Georges Laraque’s trade talk.

Florida Hockey Now: He ain’t f–ing leaving! Sam Bennett signed an eight-year, $8 million contract to stay in South Florida with the Panthers. The reigning Conn Smythe winner could’ve left for more money; instead, he’s got threepeating and a dynasty on his mind.

Ottawa Hockey Now: The big red trade button was the only good part about the decentralized Draft. Luckily, whoever came up with that idea got their money’s worth. The Senators did their part, making a big splash and trading with the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Jordan Spence.

Boston Hockey Now: I’ll admit, I wanted the New York Islanders to draft the hometown kid, James Hagens. However, Hagens staying in Boston is just as good a story. The Bruins are back in business, and there’s no such thing as too much talent.