NHL Rumors: Vegas Golden Knights Offering These 2 Players in Trades

The Vegas Golden Knight can't wait to have Jack Eichel in their lineup and by all accounts it could be happening sooner than later. While Eichel gets set to make his debut, the team is in financial troubles and will have to move at least one player to make room for Eichel under the cap. The team has been rumored to be offering a couple of surprising names in trade talks.

Reilly Smith and Evgeni Dadonov are the two players who have likely been shopped by the team as the Golden Knights don't have a ton of players who make enough on the cap to make the Eichel addition work. Smith is in the final season of his contract, making $5-million, meanwhile Dadonov has this season and next on his deal, also making $5 million. The Russian winger has trade protection, but it's limited to only the 10 teams he submitted back before the seasons started.

Smith is likely the player Vegas would prefer to keep at this point, even though he's not signed for next season. So far in 2021-22 he's recorded 10 goals and 20 points in 27 games and continues to be one of the leaders in the dressing room.

Dadonov on the other hand has 14 points in 27 games and his best season came back as a member of the Florida Panthers when he tallied 70 points in 82 games. He only has four games of Stanley Cup playoff experience under his belt, meanwhile Smith has recorded 65 points in 84 postseason games. It makes a ton of sense why Vegas would want to keep him over the inexperienced Dadonov.

As for teams of interest, look to the Eastern Conference. It's not likely a Western Conference team helps out Vegas to get themselves under the cap. As far as when the deal takes place, all you have to do is keep tabs on Eichel's return date and if the team is dealing with any injuries that could delay a deal.

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