Stastny Trade Rumors, Plus Off-Season Outlook for Golden Knights

After being eliminated from the Western Conference Final Monday evening, the Vegas Golden Knights will have a look back before they look ahead. As noted in an article prior to Game 5, the Golden Knights offence seemed to hit a snag sometime after Game 4 of the Vancouver Canucks series. After that point, the Knights only mustered 10 goals (minus empty net goals) over the last eight 2020 playoff games.

Vegas goal droughts entering tonight: Smith (0 in 9 GP); Marchessault (0 in 9); Stone (1 in 7); Karlsson (2 in 12); Pacioretty (0 in 6); Roy (0 in 15); Stastny (2 in 11); Stephenson (1 in 17); Cousins (0 in 15); Carrier (0 in 14); Reaves (0 in 17). None with goals tonight.

— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91) September 13, 2020

Knights up the Middle?

Despite a very well-balanced lineup, the Golden Knights may want to upgrade the offensive cavalry this Fall. Rumors have began to swirl about the Golden Knights wanting to upgrade their strength up the middle. Both William Karlsson and Paul Stastny had relatively quiet post seasons as the teams top two centers.

If Vegas gets knocked out in this round, it's primarily because its centres aren't good enough or aren't playing well enough. One of those two. You hardly notice Paul Stastny or William Karlsson out there.

— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) September 14, 2020

Stastny, the more likely of the two Golden Knights to be moved, has a no trade clause that the Knights would need to stick handle around.  Further, the 34-year-old from Quebec City is still owed $6.5 million before he becomes an UFA in 2021/22. With his offensive production slipping, the Knights might end up eating a portion of Stastny’s salary to move him. If so, Stastny could fetch a return for a team looking to add some depth and experience at center.

The Panda in the Room?

The other big consideration for the Golden Knights is the obvious situation in goal. After Vegas acquired Lehner from Chicago at the NHL trade deadline, the Robin Lehner took over the crease starting 16 of 17 playoff games for the Knights. During the latter portion of the Western Conference Final, speculation began to swirl around Lehner signing a big, juicy contract extension with Vegas. The goaltender denied the report, but if a Vegas/Lehner deal becomes a reality then the team will likely need to move 35-year-old franchise face – Marc Andre Fleury.

However, Fleury’s contract contains a no trade clause and comes with a price tag set at $7 million for each of the next two seasons. Will Fleury and agent Allan Walsh (who created a stir this playoffs) be flexible? Could the ‘Flowers’ contract be holding up a potential Vegas deal with Lehner?

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