Golden Knights Make Move Before Trade Deadline
TheĀ NHL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and theĀ Vegas Golden KnightsĀ have now dipped their toes into the pool of players up for grabs.
General Manager Kelly McCrimmon dealt away 2021 first round forward prospect, Zach Dean,Ā 20, in exchange for 27-year-old veteran forward Ivan Barbashev on SundayĀ morning. BarbashevĀ has played for the St. Louis BluesĀ during his entire NHLĀ career up to this point. He was an important member of the Blues Stanley Cup-winning team inĀ 2019.Ā One of his teammates on that championship squad was current Golden KnightsĀ defenseman, Alex Pietrangelo.
PietrangeloĀ was quoted in anĀ article written by Gary LawlessĀ on NHL.comĀ as saying: “This is a good pick up for us. An underrated pick up for us.” He went on to describeĀ Barbashev’s role withĀ St. LouisĀ when they won theĀ Stanley Cup:Ā “The year we won, he played on the fourth line in a shutdown role against Boston’s best players and he was a big reason why we won. He’s versatile, he plays the game hard and he likes to win.”
Vegas Golden KnightsĀ head coach,Ā Bruce Cassidy,Ā wasĀ Boston’sĀ bench boss during thatĀ Stanley Cup FinalsĀ series inĀ 2019.Ā Quoting from theĀ Lawless article again: “Hardnosed guy. Back then he was a physical fourth line energy guy who would get to the inside. They didn’t use him in an offensive role but he did his job really well. He was very effective,” said Cassidy.Ā
TheĀ Golden Knights already have a very talented starting lineup. However, some players and coaches have felt that the team needs a little more grit and hard-nosed play on some of the top 3 lines. They have players like William Carrier, Paul Cotter, andĀ Keegan Kolesar,Ā who like to bring the physical aspect to their game. It appearsĀ GM Kelly McCrimmon agrees with those players and coaches who felt they needed more players like that as we get closer to the playoffs.
In another article onĀ NHL.com,Ā McCrimmon is quoted as saying: “We have a very good team, but this complements and broadens the skill set and makeup of our roster in terms of that type of player. He gets to the inside. He plays a hard game. He’s at the net. He kills penalties. He’ll have an important role.”
BarbashevĀ will be wearing his regular #49 for theĀ Golden Knights onĀ MondayĀ night inĀ DenverĀ whenĀ VegasĀ takes on the defendingĀ Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche at 6pm Pacific Time.
WillĀ McCrimmonĀ be making more moves before the 12 noonĀ Pacific TimeĀ trade deadline thisĀ Friday, March 3rd?Ā We will soon find out.
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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
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