Vegas isn’t the spectacular capital for nothing.
The Golden Knights, the defending Stanley Cup champions, waited until just a few minutes before 3 p.m. to steal the show at the NHL trade deadline; they added forward Tomas Hertl to their roster in a monster trade with the San Jose Sharks.
A situation which does not seem to make his long-time teammate, Quebecer Marc-Édouard Vlasic, happy, who posted a crying emoji on social network.
The Sharks receive in return first and third round picks in 2025, a third round pick in 2027, as well as promising David Edstrom. The latter, a 19-year-old center of good size – at 6 feet 2 inches and 181 pounds – has 6 goals and 11 assists in 42 games with Frolunda in the Swedish League.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Tomas Hertl during a Sharks game against the Canadian in 2022.
The Sharks also retain 17% of Hertl’s 8.1375 million salary, still valid for the next six seasons. A contract so long that the forward was not on anyone’s radar at this trade deadline.
Hertl has 15 goals and 19 assists in 48 games this season. He has had campaigns of 74, 64 and 63 points, among others, since 2018. He is currently on the long-term injured list due to left knee surgery, but will be back before the end of the season regular.
Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon can certainly rub his hands with satisfaction as the playoffs approach. He has just added attackers Hertl and Anthony Mantha in a few days, as well as defender Noah Hanifin.