The rich get richer.
The Golden Knights are reportedly acquiring defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Flames, taking one of the top names available ahead of Friday’s trade deadline off the block. The return for Calgary is not yet known.
Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon isn’t messing around as his team chases a second consecutive Stanley Cup title. After trading for Capitals winger Anthony Mantha on Tuesday night, McCrimmon went out and landed the best defenseman still on the market — and he may not be a rental. Hanifin is a free agent this offseason, but the two sides are expected to discuss an extension.
The 29-year-old Boston native has recorded 35 points in 61 games this season for Calgary. Hanifin has set a new career-high in goals with 11, and he is averaging the most ice time of his career at 23:46. While he likely won’t carry as large of a workload in Vegas, he should be an exceptional fit among the team’s top four defensemen.
Here is what you need to know about the the Golden Knights’ trade for Hanifin.
NHL TRADE DEADLINE: Live trade tracker | Top players likely on the move
Noah Hanifin trade details
Here are the details of the trade sending Hanifin from the Flames to the Golden Knights.
Golden Knights receive:
- D Noah Hanifin
Flames receive:
The Flames’ trade of Hanifin seemed inevitable ahead of the deadline. Hanifin wasn’t interest in signing an extension to stay in Calgary, continuing a recent trend of stars leaving the Alberta-based team.
So it became a matter of where the defenseman was headed. And, seemingly out of left field, that destination was Vegas.
While several teams, including the Bruins, Lightning and Panthers, were mentioned as suitors, the Golden Knights were the winners of the Hanifin sweepstakes. The defending champions add a strong, puck-moving defenseman to the left side, bringing another valuable piece to an already deep unit.
McCrimmon hasn’t shied away from being aggressive at the trade deadline. The Golden Knights have consistently been buyers, with last year’s midseason acquisition of forward Ivan Barbashev proving crucial for the Stanley Cup run. The latest trade for Hanifin proves once again that the Golden Knights are willing to go all in to win now.
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Vegas’ defense played a big part in the club’s Stanley Cup victory last June. After adding Hanifin to a back end that did not endure much turnover from last year’s title-winning squad, the Golden Knights have a real chance to go back-to-back.
Noah Hanifin contract
Hanifin is in the final year of the six-year, $ 39.7 million contract he signed with the Flames in 2018. He carries a cap hit of $ 4.95 million.
If the Golden Knights do not come to an agreement on an extension, then Hanifin will hit free agency this summer. However, the two sides are reportedly working on a new contract.
| Season | AAV |
| 2023-24 | $ 4,950,000 |
| 2024-25 | UFA |
