Carolina Hurricanes
Golden Knights Trade Pacioretty, Coughlin to Hurricanes
The Vegas Golden Knights were forced to trade Max Pacioretty for future considerations to the Carolina Hurricanes to get cap compliant.
According to reports, Max Pacioretty and Dylan Coughlin are heading to the Carolina Hurricanes in a massive trade on day one of NHL free agency. The Golden Knights have moved the two players in an attempt to be salary cap compliant. The Golden Knights aren’t retaining any of Pacioretty’s salary in the deal, according to Chris Johnston of TSN. Vegas gets future considerations from Carolina in return
While many are calling this a bit of a bombshell. Darren Dreger reports that the trade speculation surrounding Vegas started last week around the time of the draft. They shed almost $7.8 million the deal. It goes to show how much the cap plays a role in the deals that take place this time of year. It also goes to show what teams that continually dance around the salary cap ceiling must make sacrifices and move players they don’t want to move. Pacioretty was still considered an important piece of the Golden Knights’ plans. In back-to-back offseasons, the Golden Knights have traded away their Vezina-winning goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury and their top goal scorer. They missed the playoffs for their first time in franchise history this past season and this will be another big step back for the club.
Pierre LeBrun reports that the Hurricanes also signing Ondrej Kase to one year deal worth $1.5 million. This was the same deal he was offered by the Toronto Maple Leafs, meaning he chose the Hurricanes over Toronto. The Hurricanes also added Brent Burns in a trade earlier in the day. The franchise has taken on a ton of cap space today.
Next: Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Erik Gudbranson to 4-Year Deal

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