Reaction: Golden Knights Acquire Noah Hanifin from Flames in Three-Team Trade

The Golden Knights acquired Noah Hanifin from the Flames for a first-round pick, a depth defenseman and a conditional third-round pick. The Flyers helped broker the deal. Jacob Stoller reacts.

The Vegas Golden Knights taking a big swing at the NHL trade deadline seemed inevitable at this point.

Less than 48 hours away from Friday’s NHL trade deadline, the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Noah Hanifin, arguably the best defenseman on the market, from the Calgary Flames. Vegas traded a conditional 2025 first-round pick, a conditional 2024 third-round pick and defenseman Daniil Miromanov to Calgary, which will retain 50 percent of Hanifin’s remaining $4.95-million salary. 

However, Vegas will be getting Hanifin at 75 percent retained ($1,237,500) thanks to the Philadelphia Flyers operating as a broker in the deal and retaining 25 percent of his salary in exchange for Vegas’ 2024 fifth-round pick.

The 2025 first-round pick becomes a 2026 first-rounder if the Golden Knights trade that 2025 selection ahead of the deadline and if it's a top-10 pick. The third-rounder becomes a 2025 second-round pick if the Golden Knights advance to the second round of this year's playoffs.

At first glance, it seems like a low price to pay for a stud like Hanifin.

Hanifin has recorded 11 goals and 35 points while averaging 23:46 of ice time per game in 61 matches with the Flames this season. The 27-year-old is a smooth-skating, offensively inclined defender who ranks 18th in 5-on-5 goals (20) and shots (370) among defensemen since 2021-22, according to naturalstattrick.com. While Hanifin had on-and-off contract negotiations with the Flames throughout the season, it never seemed like he’d re-sign in Calgary long-term as reports surfaced last summer that Hanifin had informed the Flames of his desire to return to the United States for his next contract.

With Hanifin now in the fold, Vegas’ blueline has gone from good to great, just a day after upgrading their offense with Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals.

From Calgary’s point of view, it seems like an underwhelming return for Hanifin. Sure, the Flames recoup more draft capital and a depth defenseman in Miromanov, a 26-year-old right-shot blueliner with 29 games of NHL experience. But perhaps they could have garnered at least a roster player — or even another pick or prospect — when parting with Hanifin, who is also working on an extension with Vegas, according to TSN's Darren Dreger. 

That said, the Golden Knights don’t have the deepest prospect pool, and in terms of value, that draft pick may have a higher currency to Flames GM Craig Conroy. That conditional third also seems to be a near-lock to becoming a second-rounder if all that needs to happen is Vegas advancing to Round 2.

For more reaction and coverage on the trade, visit The Hockey News' Calgary Flames, Vegas Golden Knights and Philadelphia Flyers sites.