4 Free Agents the Golden Knights Should Target
As we discussed last week, a significant portion of the Vegas Golden Knights’ forward lineup will need new contracts by July 1. Currently, six forwards, who collectively scored 94 goals this season, are set to become free agents, creating uncertainty about their futures with the team.
Some players, like Jonathan Marchessault and Chandler Stephenson, might secure bigger contracts elsewhere. Others, such as William Carrier, Michael Amadio, and Anthony Mantha, reportedly won’t be returning. This leaves several forward positions open, and while young talents like Brendan Brisson, Paul Cotter, and Jonas Rondbjerg show promise, they lack experience.
Shifting focus from the team’s own free agents, here are four external forwards the Golden Knights could consider signing to fill these gaps:
Elias Lindholm
Vegas will likely need a top-six forward this summer. Although high-profile goal scorers like Steven Stamkos and Sam Reinhart are attractive options, Elias Lindholm is a sensible choice. Despite a challenging season split between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks, the 29-year-old Swede showcased his versatility and defensive skills. Although he had a lower scoring year with just 15 goals, Lindholm excelled in face-offs (58.7%) and maintained his two-way play. With a rising salary cap, he might command a substantial contract but not as high as his peak after the 2021-22 season.
Tyler Toffoli
Replacing the 94 goals lost will be crucial. While internal growth from players like Tomas Hertl, Brisson, Cotter, and restricted free agent Pavel Dorofeyev can help, outside support is needed. Tyler Toffoli, despite playing for six teams since 2019-20, consistently scores goals, with 20 to 34 each season and 11 playoff goals in that span. The 32-year-old winger, who earned $4.25 million last season, offers a blend of scoring ability and affordability.
Sam Lafferty
With Amadio and Carrier potentially leaving, there’s a need for depth forwards. Sam Lafferty, who played a crucial bottom-six and occasional top-line role with the Canucks, could be valuable. Despite limited ice time, Lafferty scored 13 goals and 24 points, providing speed and physicality. His style would help fill the gap left by Carrier and improve scoring balance.
Warren Foegele
Warren Foegele had a standout contract year with the Stanley Cup Final-bound Edmonton Oilers, scoring 20 goals and achieving a career-high 41 points, although much of this was due to playing alongside Leon Draisaitl. Even if his scoring drops, Foegele’s physical play, shot-blocking, and puck protection are ideal traits for bottom-six forwards. These skills make him a desirable target for the Golden Knights.
The Golden Knights, known for ambitious talent acquisition, have generally preferred trades over free agency, with Alex Pietrangelo being a notable exception. However, with several positions to fill, they may need to rely on free agency this summer to rebuild a competitive roster. It’s set to be an interesting off-season.
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