Report: Vegas Golden Knights may acquire LTIR player as Jack Eichel nears return
The Vegas Golden Knights could be getting a massive boost this week.
All signs are pointing towards star forward Jack Eichel nearing his return to Golden Knights practice, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s David Schoen reported Monday.
Eichel, Schoen reported, is expected to arrive in Las Vegas this week and could hit the ice this week.
The Golden Knights, meanwhile, teased he may hit the ice as soon as today.
hit the road Jack 🚗💨
morning skate starts at 10:30 😎
Acquired in a Nov. 4 blockbuster deal, Eichel became the first NHL player to undergo an artificial disk replacement in his neck. Since then he’s been rehabilitating in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We’ll pick a time in January where our staff meets with Jack, his trainer and surgeon and coordinate a smooth transition of rehab from the group he’s been with to our own staff,” said Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon last month. “When we get to that point, he’ll then be part of our group every day and rejoin the team on a full-time basis. Then when he’s cleared to play and healthy to return, then he’ll return.”
The biggest issue for the Golden Knights will be how they navigate their cap situation. Schoen also reported the team is weighing options in terms of acquiring players who are on LTIR to leverage cap flexibility once Eichel is activated.
The Fourth Period listed Anaheim’s Ryan Kesler ($6.875-million), Sabres defenseman Johnny Boychuk ($6-million), Dallas Stars goaltender Ben Bishop ($4.916-million) and Chicago’s Andrew Shaw ($3.9-million) are all possible options.
The Golden Knights could also make a trade to clear some cap space. Rielly Smith ($5-million) is a likely trade candidate should they examine that route.
Nonetheless, this is a team to keep an eye on