In the dying moments of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, the Vegas Golden Knights made a gigantic addition to boost their odds of capturing Lord Stanley. News of the deal emerged just minutes before the cut from TSN’s Darren Dreger. The Tomas Hertl trade could be a blockbuster move.
To be clear. Hertl and two 3rds to Vegas. https://t.co/tNzFqzqxOy
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 8, 2024
Golden Knights Completes Tomas Hertl Trade with Sharks
Tomas Hertl spent all 712 games of his NHL career in California with the San Jose Sharks. The 17th overall pick from the 2012 NHL entry draft was a cornerstone in San Jose for the past decade, tallying 218 goals and 266 assists for 484 points. The two-way forward has earned recognition as a legitimate top-line centre in the league in recent years. Furthermore, Hertl eclipsed the 60-point plateau in the past two seasons. On top of this, the Golden Knights gained two third-round draft picks in 2025 and 2027.
The Sharks received a decent haul in return for the 30-year-old centre. The package includes prospect David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round draft pick. Edstrom was the first-round choice of the Golden Knights (32nd overall) during the 2023 NHL entry draft. Moreover, San Jose retained 17% of Hertl’s $8.317 million cap hit up until the 2029-30 season.
Analyzing The Tomas Hertl Trade Long-Term
George McPhee and Kelly McCrimmon stole the show again this year at the trade deadline by acquiring Noah Hanifin, Anthony Mantha, and now Hertl. With a current Wild Card position and Mark Stone joining LTIR, the Golden Knights spent every last dollar available to defend their 2023 Stanley Cup Title. Vegas continues to emerge as a serious contender in the Western Conference every season.
As for the Hertl transaction, this is an absolute bargain for the Knights. Acquiring two third-round picks on top of a top-line forward is spectacular. In addition, the Sharks retained $1.3875 million of Hertl’s salary. It’s fair to say San Jose is in full tank mode for Macklin Celebrini at the 2024 NHL entry draft. Lastly, this trade marks an end of an era for Sharks hockey.
Main photo by: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
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