One of the biggest names included in this year’s NHL Trade Deadline has officially been claimed off the market as the Calgary Flames have sent defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights. It’s not clear what the return is, but we’ll be sure to update the post as it becomes available. It does sound like a contract extension might be in the works to keep Hanifin in Vegas. Elliotte Friedman notes that the deal wasn’t contingent on an extension. It may come later. Darren Dreger is also reporting there is some sort of salary retention involved.
The 27-year-old defender has been included in trade rumors all season. Those rumors only intensified when reporters noted Hanifin would not be signing an extension in Calgary. The Flames tried to keep in the fold, but he had intentions of heading to the free agency market. It was said he wanted to sign with a U.S.-based team.
Tampa Bay was rumored to be the favorite, but Vegas (as they often do) came out of nowhere to make a play. Friedman caught wind of the trade live on NHL Network, with insider Kevin Weekes quoting TSN’s Darren Dreger as having noted the trade was going down.
The Flames were seen to have the two best defensemen available at the deadline in Hanifin and Chris Tanev. With Tanev already being traded to Dallas earlier last week, all eyes were on Hanifin’s inevitable move and what kind of return he would fetch back.
Golden Knights’ Addition of Hanifin Gives Them a Stacked Blue Line
It was also reported that Hanifin seemed to have some preferences on where his next playing destination would be, as the Boston native was set on returning to America in hopes of securing a long-term extension. One of the teams Hanifin had high on his list was the Lightning, with the Bruins also linked repeatedly throughout the season.
However, Hanifin will now be heading to Vegas as they look to make a statement run in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs. Adding a defenseman like Hanifin only strengthens their blue-line depth which has proven to work wonders during playoff hockey where injuries are common. Hanifin also can contribute offensively as he’s scored a career-high of 11 goals and has 35 points in 60 games. The Golden Knights are adding a defenseman in the middle of his prime and with exceptional hockey IQ.
The Golden Knight’s d-core now consists of Hanifin, Alex Pietrangelo, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, Alec Martinez, and Zach Whitecloud.
Next: Sabres Trade Casey Mittelstadt to Avalanche for Bowen Byram
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