For all the on-ice questions for the Vegas Golden Knights, there’s one that will fly unanswered till at least Trade Deadline: what if the Ilya Samsonov experiment fails? Where do they turn to? Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review Journal provided interesting food for thought seeking a possible answer. In his most recent Knights mailbag Wednesday (July 10), he floated new Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark as a potential trade target for the Vegas Golden Knights if things go south in goal. It’s an entirely plausible scenario, given recent history in Ottawa. But there’s another outcome closer to home that could spark these rumors once again.
Assessing the Golden Knights Goalie Situation
Deceptively Tough Start of the 2024-25 Schedule for the VGK
Yes, a little over half (16) of the first 30 games for the Golden Knights are against non-playoff teams. But 6 of those 16 games are against teams that have improved considerably in the offseason. In particular, the Seattle Kraken and the team that acquired former Knight Logan Thompson– the Washington Capitals. And that’s not even counting whatever final form Utah Hockey Club ends up taking by the time November 2nd rolls around. It’s something that, although not dangerous now, is worth keeping in mind.
It’s not out of the question that the VGK may end up at around .500 by the end of that stretch. Especially if the current crop of Golden Knights Goalies turns sour very early. That alone will absolutely spark speculation of a Linus Ullmark-to-Vegas deal. Now, the details of who they’d target would depend heavily on where they are in the standings at this point. Though a right-handed defenceman would be a pretty good bet, given the Golden Knights outnumber Ottawa 2-to-1 in that department. Also, a bottom six centre is an area Steve Staios would certainly target in any hypothetical deal.
If Ullmark turns once again into a deadend, there’s a second name mentioned into the article who could equally fit any Golden Knights Goalies related problems that might arise. One who may actually be a better “Break Glass in Emergency” kind of deal: current Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson.
A ‘Diamond’ In Anaheim Ripe For the Picking
A consistent topic of conversation the past two Trade Deadline days, there’s some things about John Gibson since 2021-2022 that are…less than ideal. The three straight seasons with a goals against average above 3.00 is a prime example of that. However, one can say the same thing about the entire team in that time frame. Looking at his career stats, there are a lot of reasons to support having Gibson as a backup. Since 2016-2017, he’s averaged 27 quality starts a season with a GAA just above 3 and a .908 SV%. Those are numbers any number of teams in the league would love in their number two goalie. Not to mention a competitive spirit that’s built for a deep Stanley Cup playoff run.
Currently, the Detroit Red Wings are circling him right now to shore up their goaltending situation. One can probably call them the favourites at this point for one big reason. They can eat a good chunk of Gibson’s $6.4 million salary. Although, if that doesn’t come to pass, given the possible price (a 2nd round pick, possibly Ilya Samsonov or Akira Schmid) it’d take, it deserves just as much attention as a Linus Ullmark deal. Even with his recent history issues, as well as the whole “Don’t trade in the division” adage.
That’s not to completely dismiss the rule entirely. There’s a reason why that adage has stuck around in sports since divisions became a thing. But in this scenario, it beats crossing one’s fingers for Ottawa to struggle when odds seem to be pointing in the opposite direction.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
