Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon just revealed the timeline for the shocking Tomas Hertl trade.
“We had talked to San Jose before Tomáš got hurt,” McCrimmon told the Athletic today. “Tomáš was a player with significant term left on his contract. He’s a player that’s played so well against us. We’ve got tremendous respect for the player, and that’s sort of why the conversations began.”
That means McCrimmon started engaging San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier about Hertl before the All-Star break. On Jan. 27, Hertl got hurt during his last game with the Sharks, and chose to have minor knee surgery shortly before the Sharks’ return to action on Feb. 14.
On Mar. 8, he was a Golden Knight…and no one outside of a select few within both organizations was the wiser until the deal was completed.
“I give credit to both organizations that it was kept internal,” McCrimmon said. “That’s how deals should be made.”
Hertl is considered “ahead of schedule” in his recovery from knee surgery, and should make his Vegas debut around the beginning of the playoffs.
AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…
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IN OTHER SHARKS NEWS…
Calgary Hockey Now’s Trevor Neufeld gave the San Jose Sharks an A for their work at the NHL trade deadline.
Anthony Duclair had himself a day in his first game as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring a goal and adding an assist.
Magnus Chrona got some love from his teammates after his first NHL win.
Evgeni Nabokov scored a goal 22 years ago yesterday.
AROUND THE NHL…
After a trade to the Florida Panthers brought him closer to his family, Vladimir Tarasenko scored his first two goals as a Panther after sharing a special moment with his kids.
Kyle Okposo had to make the tough decision to leave his family behind in Buffalo to compete for a Stanley Cup in Florida.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella was suspended by the NHL after an altercation with a referee.
Phil Kessel remains a free agent after the Vancouver Canucks chose not to sign him before the NHL trade deadline.
Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes got a little risky by pulling his goalie in overtime — and it paid off!
The once-threatening Pittsburgh Penguins are crumbling from within, writes PHN’s Dan Kingerski.
Linus Ullmark is happy to still be with the Boston Bruins after hearing his name thrown in trade rumors.
Jason Zucker is a solid fit for the Nashville Predators and was acquired for a low cost.
Could the Colorado Avalanche add another reinforcement to their roster in a budding top prospect?
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