Not glad with one Stanley Cup, the Vegas Golden Knights are making a powerful push to defend their title. On Wednesday, the Golden Knights landed Noah Hanifin in a commerce with the Calgary Flames, the groups introduced.

Hanifin has been on the buying and selling block for a lot of the season, and the Golden Knights beat out a number of different suitors to win his providers. In trade for Hanifin, Vegas despatched a first-round choose in 2025 or 2026, a conditional third-round choose, and defenseman Daniil Miromanov to Calgary. The primary-round choose will likely be in 2025, except the Golden Knights commerce it this 12 months, through which case it will get pushed to 2026.

Hanifin is within the ultimate 12 months of his contract, and the Flames retained 50% of his $4.95 million wage cap hit. The Philadelphia Flyers served as a third-party dealer within the deal, retaining one other 25% of Hanifin’s wage whereas receiving a 2024 fifth-round choose from the Golden Knights for his or her hassle.

Hanifin, 27, is in his ninth NHL season already and has change into a rock stable puck-moving defenseman. His sturdy skating potential makes Hanifin an efficient participant in all three zones, and he has 35 factors in 61 video games this season, together with a career-high 11 targets. In 625 profession video games, Hanifin has piled up 60 targets and 214 assists.

With regards to his defensive efficiency at five-on-five, Hanifin hasn’t been fairly as sturdy as in previous seasons, however that might be a product of getting a worse roster round him. That won’t be an issue in Vegas, the place the defensive group already consists of Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore, Alec Martinez and Brayden McNabb.

Between that group and the goaltending skills of Adin Hill, groups could have a tough time scoring on the Golden Knights within the playoffs.

This is not even the primary transfer Vegas has made earlier than the commerce deadline. On Tuesday, the Golden Knights despatched a pair of draft picks to the Washington Capitals in trade for winger Anthony Mantha, who has 20 targets on the season.

As soon as gamers like Mark Stone and William Provider get wholesome sufficient to return to the lineup, the defending Cup champs will likely be as deep as they’ve ever been.