Golden Knights Land Noah Hanifin in Blockbuster Trade With Flames

Despite having two more days to work with before the 2024 NHL trade deadline on Friday, general managers have been hyperactive Wednesday with a multitude of trades going down across the league. 

The latest to get in on the action were the Vegas Golden Knights, who are reportedly set to acquire prized defenseman Noah Hanifin in a blockbuster trade with the Calgary Flames, according to Elliotte Friedman, who broke the news of the deal live on TNT’s NHL Face Off. 

The terms of the deal have not yet been reported, though multiple reports indicate the Golden Knights and Hanifin will open up negotiations over a potential contract extension that would keep the impending unrestricted free agent in Las Vegas beyond the end of this season.

Hanifin has spent the past six seasons with the Flames, appearing in 420 games and registering 191 points. He has 35 points this season—including 11 goals—in 61 games, the most among Calgary defensemen. 

The 27-year-old is in the final season of a six-year, $29.7 million deal with the Flames, and was due to hit free agency in the offseason.

This marks the second addition for the Golden Knights ahead of the trade deadline, having already acquired Anthony Mantha in a deal with the Washington Capitals. Washington retained 50% of Mantha’s salary in the trade, leaving the door open financially for Vegas to absorb Hanifin’s $4.95 million salary.