3 Potential Big Cap Casualties For Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights are not going to remain quiet this offseason as there have reportedly been a number of things cooking. The team wants Mitch Marner, but cap space has to be freed up to make the proper pitch to him in free agency. That doesn't give the Golden Knights a ton of time to get a move or two done.

There shouldn't be any buyouts by Vegas, but there could be a couple of trades. The big one that was rumored is Tomas Hertl and there are reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are very interested. Whether something comes back in return or the Hurricanes work out their cap space afterwards, Carolina needs that 2C. Hertl would be a big loss for Vegas as he fit in pretty well once he settled in.

Nick Kypreos revealed that William Karlsson or Ivan Barbashev could also be cap casualty trade moves for the Golden Knights. Karlsson's name has been out there a bit longer considering he's a centerman and has two years left while the center market is weak now.

Karlsson won't have a lack of interest from teams that potentially miss out on who they want in free agency, but that would only line up with Vegas if Marner doesn't plan to sign on July 1. The 32-year-old Karlsson had a down season, going from 30 goals and 60 points in 70 games last season to only nine goals and 29 points in 53 games this season. He still plays a clean and defensive game though and can serve as a second line center. His cap hit is $5.9 million AAV for two more years.

Barbashev has three years left on his deal, but he isn't coming off a down year. He also isn't a center though. The 29-year-old put up 23 goals and 51 points in 70 games while making $5 million AAV. He is a solid top-6 winger that plays a physical game and doesn't need the power play to produce offensively. This should intrigue a lot of teams alone.

It doesn't make sense for the Golden Knights to move all three just to be able to send an overpriced contract offer to Marner, but just one won't be enough for Marner and the other depth pieces if Alex Pietrangelo isn't headed to the LTIR for the entire season. We'll see who gets moved, but it's almost a guarantee that one of Hertl, Karlsson, or Barbashev is on his way out at this point. Teams haven't been afraid to trade this offseason so far.