As the Vegas Golden Knights push toward another Stanley Cup run, the picture is clear: this roster is solid and one of the deepest in the NHL. But it is not complete. The Golden Knights still have elite top-end talent, yet the grind of a long season has exposed familiar pressure points. Goaltending stability, blue-line depth, and reliable middle-six support remain areas where small upgrades could make a big difference once the games tighten up.
With the NHL Trade Deadline looming and the roster freeze during the 2026 Winter Olympics, we look at a few NHL teams that could be the best trade partners for the Golden Knights.
These 4 NHL Teams Have What the Golden Knights Need
The recent addition of Rasmus Andersson shows the Golden Knights are already in upgrade mode, reinforcing a defense-first identity while staying firmly in win-now territory. Even so, they are far from done. With limited cap flexibility and the potential use of long-term injured reserve (LTIR) to create breathing room, any further moves will need to be calculated, creative, and possibly involve salary retention or third-party help.
This makes the trade market less about star-chasing and more about finding the right partners, with teams with surplus pieces that fit this team’s needs and financial reality.
St. Louis Blues
With a disappointing season, the St. Louis Blues are expected to become sellers rather than buyers. Several of their veteran assets have been reported on league trade boards, including the best goaltender on the market: Jordan Binnington. Forwards Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, and Robert Thomas, and defenseman Justin Faulk could all be had for the right price.
Binnington is a proven performer in high-pressure situations. He’s won a Stanley Cup and the 4 Nations gold medal for Team Canada. Kyrou or Thomas would slide into the middle six or even top six, adding pace and offensive upside. Schenn brings playoff grit, depth scoring, and another leader to the team. And Faulk is a rugged defenseman who’d bolster the bottom-four pairings.
Related: Blues Send Justin Faulk to the Panthers in Suggested Trade
But given the Golden Knights’ limited first-round capital and salary constraints, any deal for these veterans would likely involve prospects, mid-round picks, and carefully structured retention to make the dollars work. It’s improbable, but if any front office can make a coup, it’s Kelly McCrimmon and his staff.
Carolina Hurricanes
Though the Carolina Hurricanes are closer to buyer status in the Eastern Conference, they have tradeable role players that could benefit Vegas. Forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi, a solid third or fourth-line center, has surfaced in trade chatter. He’s all but fallen out of favor in Raleigh and could use a change of scenery.
Similarly, goaltender Frederik Andersen remains a veteran with plenty of experience and could be an upgrade or short-term bridge (he’s on an expiring deal) for the Golden Knights. Andersen has had a mixed injury history lately, but his pedigree as a battle-tested goalie makes him a realistic deadline target, especially with the emergence of Brandon Bussi. Pairing Andersen with Adin Hill or another option gives Vegas a more dependable tandem down the stretch.
Carolina’s cap structure and roster strength mean it may not sell off core pieces, but moving role players for future assets is plausible, especially if Carolina sees itself in a tighter conference battle.
Vancouver Canucks
Within the division, the Vancouver Canucks are the most intriguing sellers given all their high-profile players. Elias Pettersson and Conor Garland are the marquee names, but they’d be prohibitively expensive for Vegas without a blockbuster package. That nearly rules them out unless the Golden Knights are willing to lose term or key pieces, something it has been reluctant to do.
More realistic targets are Evander Kane and Teddy Blueger. They are depth scorers with playoff experience and the type of players who can boost the team’s secondary scoring without breaking the bank. The former was also a part of the team’s 2023 Stanley Cup playoff run. They petitioned the NHL to include his name on the Cup, which reveals just how highly they valued him.
From a cap perspective, the Golden Knights could swap smaller contracts and picks for either of them, or use retention via a third team to make it financially palatable. A deal for Blueger or Kane is more likely than a Pettersson or Garland one, and could be impactful without sacrificing core depth.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have publicly acknowledged a transition period, and although their core still includes star-level talent, some pieces on expiring or affordable contracts could interest Vegas. Jonathan Quick, a veteran goalie and former Golden Knight, has performed well as a dependable backup in recent seasons. Adding Quick gives Vegas another experienced option behind or alongside Hill.
On defense, Carson Soucy represents a tough, stay-at-home blue-liner who could provide depth and physicality. On a blue line where injuries or matchups require flexibility, Soucy fits into a third pairing without demanding top dollars. Artemi Panarin would be an elite scoring addition. He’s on an expiring deal and has a no-movement clause (NMC) that could make this plausible if he lists the Golden Knights as one of his preferred teams.
Deals here might see mid-round picks or depth players (or prospects) heading back to New York, with Vegas bringing back role players or cap relief in return.
Bottom Line
The Golden Knights’ “win-now” attitude means the front office has to balance making meaningful upgrades with remaining cap compliant and preserving future draft capital. Each of these four teams offers pathways to improve either through goaltending, defense, or secondary scoring. But every trade will demand smart cap management and negotiation creativity to fit into the tightly structured Golden Knights roster.
