The Daily: Vegas Can’t Afford to Keep Big Scorer; Detroit Trade Options

The surcharge the Vegas Golden Knights face for adding Tomas Hertl and Noah Hanifin to their roster is they are in jeopardy of losing 42-goal scorer Jonathan Marchessault to free agency.

Marchessault, 33, is an original Golden Knights player, and he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He wants to stay in Vegas, and GM Kelly McCrimmon would like to figure out how to keep him. But the team’s salary cap situation makes that scenario difficult unless the team wants to make another significant trade or two. Pain will be necessary if they want to re-sign him.

Vegas Hockey Now has a story spelling out the challenging cap issues the Golden Knights are facing. Their list of UFAs also includes Chandler Stephenson, Alec Martinez and William Carrier.  They will likely have about $6 million in cap space.

It will take close to all of that amount to re-sign Stephenson who is three years younger than Marchessault. According to AFP Analytics, Marchessault can expect a three-year deal with a cap hit of $6.4 million.

The dilemma is clear: Vegas can’t keep both Stephenson and Marchessault unless they trade another important player on their roster, such as defenseman Shea Theodore or goalie Adin Hill. Both of those players have a modified no-trade clause.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Still no luck for the Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman in the NHL draft lottery. They stayed at No. 15.

Defenseman Andrew Gibson has pleased the Red Wings with his development this season.

Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider isn’t going to play in the World Championships because the cost of insuring his career against injury was too high. He will be a restricted free agent on July 1.

It’s possible the Red Wings might move some players to clear up cap space. Detroit Hockey Now has a behind-the-paywall-story about the four leading candidates to be moved. Justin Holl is No. 1 on our list. To subscribe, click here: To receive a $10 discount on the price of a yearly subscription, use the promo code kevin10.

Red Wings Offseason

The Grand Rapids Griffins still don’t know who they are playing in the next round of the AHL playoffs.  It will be either the Texas Stars or Milwaukee Admirals who are playing tonight in Milwaukee (8 p.m. ET) in Game 3 of their playoff series. The Stars hold a 2-0 lead in their series. Grand Rapids boasts 10 key Red Wings prospects playing regularly.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: The Bruins were impressed by rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei’s breakout game. Boston Bruins

Colorado: Evan Rawal writes the rest between series helped the Avs in their opening game against Dallas. He has the details. Colorado Avalanche.

Chicago: GM Kyle Davidson said it’s still a “win” for his team to pick No. 2 in the June draft. Nate Brown has the story. Chicago Blackhawks.

Pittsburgh: We finally know what kind of injury Jake Guentzel had earlier this season. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: A scout told San Jose Hockey Now that the Sharks have never had a player or leader the caliber of Macklin Celebrini.  San Jose Sharks