The Las Vegas Golden Knights are finally Stanely Cup Champions, and it took a lot of changes to get there. Unfortunately for fans, those changes took away some of the best players the organization has ever known in favor of fresh talent. The same thing seems to be happening again in 2023 with the offseason trade of Reily Smith, and these five players might be next.
#5 Logan Thompson, goalie

While the Las Vegas Golden Knights have not said if they are willing to trade Logan Thompson, new reports claim that several teams are inquiring about him. This news comes after an awe-inspiring 2023 season cut short due to an injury. Like it or not, that could be the motive to move on from him for someone more reliable.
On the other hand, Thompson posted an insane stat sheet in 2023. This includes a record of 21-13, three overtime losses,1132 shots against, 96 goals allowed, and a 2.65 goals allowed average. That’s a pretty solid performance and should at least warrant him a second chance in 2023. The Golden Knights might have other plans, though.
#4 Brett Howden, center

Another name on the chopping block seems to be Brett Howden. The center came to the Golden Knights in 2021 on a two-year contract. During that time, Howden amassed 15 goals, 18 assists, with 14 positive minutes on the ice and 67 penalty minutes.
That last stat might be the straw that broke the camel’s back. There’s just no room for that kind of recklessness on the ice. That’s why Howden is someone who might be cut or traded. Either reduces cap space and allows them to make better moves in free agency.
#3 Phil Kessel, forward

Phil Kessel joined the Las Vegas Golden Knights in 2022 and did a decent job in his first year with the squad. The former Arizona Coyotes right wing totaled 14 goals, 22 assists, two power-play goals, and nine power-play points. Despite his performance, he only played four games in the postseason, totaling two assists and two positive minutes on the ice.
It doesn’t look like Kessel did enough with his minutes to justify another shot. He’s more expendable than ever with the new roster. Kessler had a one-year deal to prove himself with The Golden Knights and seemed to fail at every turn.
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#2 Robin Lehner, goalie

Robin Lehner has not competed in a Las Vegas Golden Knights game for over a year now and may never get the chance to again. In fact, with all the other goalies and potential trade rumors, Lehner doesn’t seem very valuable anymore. He’s injury prone, hasn’t had a consistent record, and is not worth a long-term investment.
Now that the Golden Knights have so many different goalies available to them, the team probably isn’t going to want to take a chance on someone so injury prone.
Lehner posted a 23-17 record in the 2021-2022 season, 1288 shots against, 120 goals allowed, 2.83 goals allowed average, and 1168 saves. Those aren’t bad numbers by any means, but he kept suffering lower-body injuries that season.
#1 Alec Martinez, defenseman

The Las Vegas Golden Knights have made some wild off-season moves in the past, and that’s why Alec Martinez is on this list. Also, according to NHLtraderumors, Las Vegas is looking to clear up some cap space, and Alec Martinez might be the best way to do that. He has been a driving force on defense for the Golden Knights in 2023, but anybody could be expendable now.
“The 35-year-old carries a $5.25 million cap hit, and it would be beneficial for Vegas to get that off of the books. Teams looking for a bit more defensive stability and experience could look to add him. In 77 games this past season, the Michigan native had three goals, 11 assists, and a plus-30 rating,” NHLTraderumor explains.
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