Full return of Noah Hanifin trade revealed, fans accuse Vegas of cheating

PUBLICATION

Liam McCormick
March 6, 2024 (9:03 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Moments ago, the full return for the trade that will send Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights finally became public. According to insider Frank Seravalli, Vegas will send a first round draft pick, a conditional third round draft pick, and prospect Danill Miramanov to Calgary for Hanifin with maximum salary retention. Philadelphia will also retain salary in the trade.

This will be the second major addition to the Vegas Golden Knights roster this season after the trade for Anthony Mantha recently, and according to insiders, they're still looking for a big addition at forward too. It would lead fans to wonder how Vegas is able to afford all these players - but it's abundantly obvious.

For the last three years, Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights has gone on LTIR within weeks of the trade deadline, then made his comeback shortly into the playoffs, or even game 1 of the playoffs.

Due to Stone's contract being on LTIR through that time, the Knights can add the full amount of his salary at the trade deadline every season. This year, Alec Martinez is also going on LTIR, giving them even more room to work with. It's becoming a clearly abused loophole, especially with Vegas who seems to be exploiting Stone's chronic back injury. Fans are livid and accusing Vegas of cheating the salary cap entirely.

It's clearly a strategy that's working for a team that's had unprecedented playoff success in their franchise history. Once again this year, Vegas is appearing to be the strongest overall team heading into the playoffs - largely thanks to their impactful trade deadline.