Las Vegas Golden Knights: Rumor Mill Churning

As the dust settles from the first wave of free agency, the Vegas Golden Knights are staring down a familiar challenge — the need to clear cap space. With a stacked roster and little financial wiggle room, it’s becoming increasingly likely that a notable name will be moved before the season begins.

One player squarely in the rumor spotlight is Tomas Hertl. The veteran forward, acquired by Vegas at the deadline, has been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes for much of the offseason. Carolina is in clear win-now mode and continues to search for top-nine center help after retooling their blueline and letting a few key forwards walk. Hertl fits their mold: skilled, playoff-tested, and capable of filling multiple roles.

But Hertl’s name isn’t the only one circling around. League sources indicate that Vegas may wait to see how the Nikolaj Ehlers situation plays out before pushing forward with any major trades. Ehlers has become one of the most talked-about players on the market, with several teams vying for his services. Carolina and Washington are believed to be the frontrunners, but both the Islanders and Rangers have checked in, keeping the market competitive.

If and when Ehlers is moved — potentially opening or closing doors for certain teams — expect trade discussions around Hertl to intensify quickly. With Vegas in a cap crunch and the season inching closer, timing will be everything.

The Golden Knights have shown time and again they’re willing to make bold moves to stay in the hunt. Whether it’s Hertl or someone else on the move, the next few weeks promise more action out of the desert.