The Vegas Golden Knights are undergoing significant changes this offseason after a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final. With new head coach Ryan Craig installed and their leading goalscorer traded, General Manager Kelly McCrimmon faces the challenge of managing a tight salary cap while filling out the roster. Currently, the team has only $4.625 million in cap space but must sign several players, including vital defenseman Noah Andersson, whose complicated signing hinges on potential roster moves.

By the Numbers
  • Vegas has $4.625 million in salary cap space with six to nine players to sign.
  • Alex Pietrangelo's contract accounts for $8.8 million against the cap this season.
State of Play
  • Multiple key players, including forwards and defensemen, are set to hit the open market.
  • The Knights could turn to younger players from within to fill depth spots if cap relief isn't achieved quickly.
What's Next

Vegas will likely need to offload players, particularly a goaltender like Adin Hill, to gain necessary cap space. Decisions regarding re-signing Andersson and potentially utilizing long-term injury reserve (LTIR) for Pietrangelo will be critical in shaping the offseason strategy. The market for depth signings is expected to evolve after the initial free agency wave.

Bottom Line

To navigate this offseason successfully, the Golden Knights must act decisively in offloading undesirable contracts and securing key signings like Andersson. Their ability to create cap space is paramount to reloading the roster effectively for next season.