Golden Knights Rumors: 3 Potential Replacements For Mark Stone

The Vegas Golden Knights were dealt a harsh blow on Thurday, with the news that captain and leading scorer Mark Stone would be out for a significant period of time. 

The defending champs were already thought to be aggressively seeking a solid winger on the trade front, but now that search has reached urgent levels. On top of that, a long-term placement on the injured list (LTIR) would grant the Golden Knights a massive $9.5 million in cap space to play with.

Let's have a look at three serious candidates for Vegas to target, all of them former Cup winners:

Jake Guentzel

If the Golden Knights are looking to repeat, and Guentzel wants to earn another Stanley Cup ring, this could be a match made in heaven. The impending unrestricted free agent would appear to be a prime trade candidate after hearing Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas's statements to the media on Wednesday. He's having another stellar point-a-game season, with 22 goals and 52 points in 50 games thus far, but extension talks with the Pens have gone nowhere, and the team is nine points out of a playoff spot. Guentzel and his $6 million cap hit could very well be on the move.

Reilly Smith

The soon-to-be 33-year-old veteran is having an off-season in his first year in Pittsburgh with just 23 points in 47 games. But the Golden Knights, of course, know full well what Smith is capable of after he produced a 26-goal season for them last year, his 3rd 20+ goal campaign in six seasons with Vegas. He was a key contributor in their run to the Stanley Cup as well with 14 points in 22 playoff games, and a plus-minus rating of +9. 

He still has one more season left on his three-year deal that comes with a $5 million cap hit.

Vladimir Tarasenko

Another former Stanley Cup champion that's on the market, the Ottawa Senators' pending UFA has 15 goals and 37 points through 51 games. His full no-trade clause shouldn't be a problem for a player who's had a drink from Lord Stanley's mug, and would love to have another taste. 

He carries a $5 million cap hit.

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