Where Golden Knights Might Find Bargain Bin Goals

The Vegas Golden Knights reality is they may not have the cap space to keep UFA Jonathan Marchessault this summer.

Even if the Golden Knights trade a significant player to double their available cap space, there’s no guarantee they can get a deal done. Projections have Marchessault, 36, securing a deal worth $6.2 million-per-season over three years. But his ticket could rise a bit higher if the right teams bid.

If the VGK lose him, team officials will want to believe they can recoup most of Marchessault’s 41 goals with a full season of Tomas Hertl and a full season of health for Mark Stone and Jack Eichel. Between the two of them, Stone and Eichel missed 45 games last season.

Should the Golden Knights create more cap space, and then lose out on Marchessault, here are some less expensive unrestricted free agents with offensive production they could pursue:

Left Wing/Right Wing David Perron (Detroit Red Wings)

The Red Wings want to retain him, but they would also like to sign Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider to long-term deals. They may not have the salary cap space to get it all done.

Perron turns 36 later this month, but has averaged 21 goals per season for the past six season.

Projections have him receiving $2.8 million per season on a two-year-deal. You get a hard-nosed player and a leader also at that price.

Left Wing Dakota Joshua (Vancouver Canucks)

One of the NHL’s most underrated role players, Joshua totaled 17 goals and 245 hits this season. He boasts 467 hits over the past two seasons for a contract paying him $850,000. He’s a wide-bodied, 6-foot-3, 210-pound hitter.

Joshua could chip in goals, and add a layer of physical play. He could help the Golden Knights in many ways. In its mid-season overview, AFP Analytics projects his open market value at $3 million on a three-year deal.

The problem is Joshua’s desirability is not a secret. If the Canucks don’t figure out how to re-sign him, he could be one of the most popular players in the marketplace. That will drive up his price.

Right Wing/Left Wing Warren Foegele (Edmonton Oilers)

Foegele scored 20 goals this season averaging under 14 minutes per game. Before then, Foegele has been a 10-to-12 goals per season performer.

He’s a hard-working guy who is a bargain at his current salary of $2.8 million. He’s less of a bargain if he starts to climb to $3.5 million.

Right Wing Joe Pavelski (Dallas Stars)

Joe Pavelski turns 40 on July 11. It will probably be Dallas or retirement for Pavelski. But he scored 27 goals this season. Maybe he’s not ready to hang his skates on a nail in his garage.

And the idea of playing a final season in Las Vegas might have some appeal.  The Golden Knights should still be a contender, the Vegas environment intrigues most NHL players.

AFP Analytics projects Pavelski signing for one year at $3.9 million. He made $3.5 million this season

Right Wing/Left Wing Daniel Sprong (Detroit Red Wings)

Sprong is 27, in his prime years and he scored 21 goals for the Seattle Kraken in 2022-23 and 18 goals for the Detroit Red Wings last season. He has a lightning quick release and his shot seems laser guided.

The negative is that coaches don’t appreciate his overall game. He was scratched now and then in both Seattle and Detroit. He is essentially a fourth liner who can score 20 goals. If the price is right, he has value. He’s earning $2 million this season.

Left Wing/Right Wing Jonathan Drouin (Colorado Avalanche)

Drouin’s projection of a new contract paying him $4.4 million might put him out of the Vegas reach.  You will have to pay for 19 goals and 56 points. He did that this season on a contract paying him $825,000.

He’s on the list because he could come in at less than $4.4 million, or would be willing to take a little less to play there.