Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Vegas Golden Knights Place 2 Top Players on Trade Block to Make Space for Mitch Marner

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 12:07 PM ET

The Vegas Golden Knights are pushing hard for Mitch Marner, and now as a result, two players could find themselves moved to make way for the star forward as Vegas look to get back into the Stanley Cup race in 2025/26.

This summer is set to be chaotic in the NHL, with so many potential trades, offer sheets and free agency signings set to shake up the very foundations of the NHL as teams aim to knock off the Florida Panthers as Stanley Cup Champions.

One team that is unsurprisingly set to feature heavily is the Vegas Golden Knights, as they have been tabbed as the favourite to sign star forward Mitch Marner if he indeed does head to free agency as expected.

However, given the state of their salary cap, that's unlikely to happen with the roster constructed the way it is, and now, insider Nick Kypreos has revealed several names that could be moved to bring in No. 16.

According to Kypreos, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl or Ivan Barbashev are all possibilities for Vegas as they look to clear salary cap space to sign Marner, and if they can do so by keeping Mark Stone, this team becomes a whole lot more dangerous for the 2025/26 campaign.

With free agency almost upon us, it's unclear exactly which teams would be interested in taking on Barbashev or Karlsson, or what a deal for either would even look like, but at this point in time, it's clear that Vegas are ready to give Mitch Marner a huge deal, and if they can find a buyer for one of these two players, they'll be the favourite to land the former Maple Leafs star.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: