NHL Rumors: Anaheim and Vegas Discussing Interesting Deal

The Vegas Golden Knights and Anaheim Ducks don't jump off the page as two teams who could align as trade partners but word is they have discussed a move this season. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Golden Knights are interested in acquiring Ryan Kesler's contract from the Ducks.

This of course would create some LTIR cap space for the Golden Knights who find themselves in quite the financially mess with the pending debut of prized acquisition Jack Eichel. The long-time Buffalo Sabre is expected to be ready by Feb.1 and Vegas will need to get creative with the salary cap to make it happen.

Kesler's contract is for $6.87 million this season and finally comes off the book at season's end. The long-time Duck hasn't played a game since the 2018-19 season as injuries piled up, forcing him to retire.

If the Golden Knights don't end up paying up to the Ducks with some prospects to take Kesler's money off their hands, expect to see the team move a player off their roster. Evgeni Dadonov and Reilly Smith are two options the team could move to make enough room for Eichel to suit up.

It would be a rare site to see two division rivals and two teams at the top of their division helping each other out. So personally, I don't see this move happening at all. The Golden Knights moving out a player or two before Eichel's debut, much more likely.

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