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The defending Stanley Cup champions are reportedly adding an All-Star defenseman ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline.
Calgary Flames blueliner Noah Hanifin is on his way to the Vegas Golden Aces, who could offer the soon-to-be free agent a massive contract extension, according to multiple outlets.
The 27-year-old is currently in the final year of his six-year, $30 million contract and was expected to be among the most prized free agents this summer.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Vegas will send a first-round pick to Calgary (30-26-5), as well as defenseman Daniil Miromanov and a conditional third-round pick.
The Flames are dealing Hanifin within the Pacific Division, but with Calgary unlikely to make the playoffs, team general manager Craig Conroy appears to be OK with sending a prized player to a rival.
Calgary Flames blueliner Noah Hanifin (pictured) is on his way to the Vegas Golden Aces
The agreement comes a day after the Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Capitals
The defending-champion Golden Knights (33-22-7) have a firm grasp on one of the Western Conference’s two wild-card spots.
At 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, Hanifin is considered to be one of the NHL’s better defensemen. Not only did he anchor the league’s top penalty-killing unit, but he’s frequently tasked with lining up against opponents’ best scorers.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger , Vegas will send a first-round pick to Calgary (30-26-5), as well as defenseman Daniil Miromanov (pictured) and a conditional third-round pick
Hanifin has 35 points on the season: 24 assists and 11 goals.
Re-signing him could prove difficult for Vegas, particularly if the Bruins decide to make a run at the Boston native this summer when they should have nearly $50 million in cap space.
The agreement comes one day after the Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals.
Vegas sent a 2024 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-rounder to Washington for the pending free agent winger. The Capitals are retaining half of Mantha’s salary.
Mantha just reached 20 goals in a season for the first time since 2019. He gives Vegas a valuable depth player as it tries to become the first repeat title winner since Pittsburgh in 2016 and ’17.
The 29-year-old was one of several likely trade candidates the Capitals have to move before the deadline Friday. Fellow forwards Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel and defenseman Joel Edmundson are also pending free agents expected to be traded, along with center Nic Dowd and goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who are signed through next season.
The Golden Knights may also not be done dealing as they seek to make another long playoff run. After putting captain Mark Stone on long-term injured reserve, they have more cap space to use on acquisitions.
