5 goalie options for the injury-riddled Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights are in a pinch.
After losing goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Malcolm Subban to injury, the team was dealt another bad hand when recent call-up Oscar Dansk left Monday's contest with an undisclosed ailment.
That means Maxime Lagace, who spent last season with the Dallas Stars' farm club, and Dylan Ferguson are the Golden Knights' go-to goalies. Ferguson, 19, was drafted last summer and is on emergency recall from the WHL's Kamloops Blazers.
With the team's goaltending depth pushed to its limit, here are five trade options worthy of GM George McPhee's consideration:
Curtis McElhinneyThe Golden Knights and Maple Leafs linked up once already in the deal that sent netminder Calvin Pickard to Toronto, and the teams could be prime partners only a few weeks later.
It's no secret the Maple Leafs want Pickard with the big club, but he's slotted with the AHL's Marlies until they can clear a roster spot. That means finding a new home for McElhinney. The 34-year-old has appeared in just one game this season, allowing three goals but coming away with the win.
Louis Domingue
Domingue cleared waivers Monday, and while there were no takers for the Arizona Coyotes netminder, a deal could come to fruition if the team takes back a contract for the struggling goaltender.
Interestingly enough, Golden Knights blue-liner Griffin Reinhart passed through waivers the same day as Domingue, and could be the right match in a trade. Carrying an $800,000 cap hit, he's signed to a more affordable deal than Domingue, although he carries an additional year. Domingue, 25, was waived after going winless in seven games - a stretch which saw him post a dreadful .856 save percentage.
Michael Hutchinson
Like Domingue, Hutchinson cleared waivers earlier this season. The move was the result of the Winnipeg Jets bringing in Steve Mason to pair with Connor Hellebuyck, and Hutchinson's poor performance last year.
Hutchinson has appeared in four games with the AHL's Manitoba Moose, and has come up with two wins and a respectable .918 save rate. The 27-year-old is also on an expiring contract that carries a reasonable $1.15-million cap hit.
Andrew Hammond
Could Sin City be the place where Hammond rediscovers his magic? The 29-year-old was a revelation three seasons ago with the Senators, as he put together an outstanding 20-1-2 record and allowed just 42 goals to drag Ottawa into the playoffs.
But the good times didn't last, as Hammond now suits up for the Senators' AHL club. At a manageable $1.35-million ticket, he could be a worthwhile gamble for the Golden Knights.
Reto Berra
Berra, 30, spent last season with the Florida Panthers' organization, but was prepared to return to Switzerland before the Anaheim Ducks came calling.
With Ryan Miller on the shelf, a backup spot opened in Anaheim, and Berra appeared in two games. But with Miller now healthy, and the AHL's San Diego Gulls seemingly set with Leland Irving and Kevin Boyle, the Ducks could make Berra available.
Honorable mentionsJeff Zatkoff
Called upon last season to fill in for an injured Jonathan Quick - and later losing the gig to Peter Budaj - the Los Angeles Kings' Zatkoff could be an option. The 30-year-old has yet to play this season and appears to be an extra body behind Jack Campbell and Cal Petersen with the AHL's Ontario Reign.
Anders Lindback
Lindback signed with the Nashville Predators - the team that drafted him in 2008 - this offseason after splitting last year between the AHL and Sweden. As the third goalie on Nashville's depth chart, he has posted a 5-1-0 record and .909 save percentage in the AHL. The veteran could come at an affordable price.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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