For the Vegas Golden Knights to replace some of the forwards they are losing in free agency, they may need to trade defensemen under contracts, giving Kaedan Korczak and Lukas Cormier opportunities.
For the Vegas Golden Knights to replace some of the forwards they are losing in free agency, they may need to trade defensemen under contracts, giving Kaedan Korczak and Lukas Cormier opportunities.
For the Vegas Golden Knights to replace some of the forwards they are losing in free agency, they may need to trade defensemen under contracts, giving Kaedan Korczak and Lukas Cormier opportunities.
The Golden Knights would love to resign Jonathan Marchessault and not only has he been public about his wishes to return but General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has stated that it's his number one priority. To do this, the Golden Knights will need to create cap space by making trades. Considering the depth the Golden Knights have on defence, it's the most logical position to trade.
Rumours have circulated about both Shea Theodore and Zach Whitecloud. If one or both of them are traded, the Golden Knights will likely look to the Henderson Silver Knights for their replacements.
The two next candidates to fill those vacancies are Korczak and Cormier.
Korczak is a 23-year-old, 6'4 and 201 lbs right-handed defenseman. He split his time between the NHL and AHL this season.
The 2019 second-round pick had identical stats in both the NHL and AHL. He played in 26 games scoring one goal and nine points. An important factor in Korczak's future is that he is a pending RFA and if the Golden Knights, who are more than likely to resign him, do sign him, he will no longer be waiver-exempt. He'll have to stay in the NHL or the Golden Knights will have to risk sending him through waivers to the AHL where he is very likely to be claimed.
Cormier is the more offensive one of the two young Golden Knights defensemen. This season the 22-year-old scored four goals and 20 points in 58 games with the Silver Knights. The previous season he scored 10 goals and 35 points. He's also a two-time defenseman of the year winner in the QMJHL.
The Canadian is just 5'10 and 176 lbs but has the skills to be an effective defenseman in the NHL. He played in just two games for the Golden Knights this season but was still able to register an assist.
The former 2020 third-round pick will likely begin the season in the AHL due to his age and because he does not require waivers but will be one of the first names to be called if the Golden Knights face injuries on their backend. HC Bruce Cassidy was more than pleased with what he saw from Cormier in his two-game stint with the Golden Knights.
Cassidy put Cormier on the first power play unit when Theodore was injured and praised his game by saying "He played the game in front of him. He didn't chase it," which is usually something young defenders tend to do.
Despite what the Golden Knights have done in the past by differing from young players to use veterans, the Golden Knights will need to rely on young players on entry-level contracts. Korczak and Cormier have been part of medal winning teams for Canada at the World Juniors giving them some experience in big games.
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