Which big name should the Golden Knights add if Karlsson misses rest of season?

The Vegas Golden Knights didn’t get here by being timid. Since entering the NHL in 2017, the expansion franchise has made the playoffs in seven of their eight seasons, including winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. Over that time, they’ve developed a reputation for being bold and aggressive on the trade market. After all, this is the team that has swung big-time deals for stars such as Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, and Mark Stone, among others.

Monday’s news that center William Karlsson could be out for the season is far from good, but if there’s a team that would see and seize the opportunity that could provide, it’s the Golden Knights. If Vegas shuts Karlsson down for the year, that would wipe the remainder of his $5.9 million cap hit off their books, giving them the space to add a big fish via trade. If we know the Golden Knights, that’s an option they won’t hesitate to pursue.

On Tuesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, hosts Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton discussed which player Vegas should target if Karlsson is out for the season.

Tyler Yaremchuk: William Karlsson in Vegas might be missing the remainder of season. He’s debating, contemplating surgery right now. If it is truly a season-ending injury for Karlsson, all of a sudden that opens up some cap space for the Vegas Golden Knights. What do we know about the Vegas Golden Knights, Hutts? When they have money, they want to spend it. If the Golden Knights are without Karlsson for the rest of the year, one big add they should make is who?

Carter Hutton: You know the Vegas Golden Knights like to go big. Every year it seems like we’re waiting at the deadline for a stunner from them. You start to talk about names like, I don’t know if (Artemi) Panarin could be a fit there. You look at Eichel and Marner and the superstar status. Or you start thinking depth-wise, thinking (Nazem) Kadri, thinking Boone Jenner, (Kiefer) Sherwood. Someone who can come in and spark that depth, because (Ivan) Barbashev does such a great job of creating energy and physicality, and next thing you know if you slot him in a third spot, I think that could be a really dangerous tandem in Vegas.

You can catch the full discussion and the rest of Tuesday’s episode here…