The Vegas Golden Knights made no further moves before Friday’s 12 p.m. trade deadline, completing only the two previously announced acquisitions of winger Cole Smith from Nashville and center Nic Dowd from Washington. General manager Kelly McCrimmon expressed confidence that the pair will strengthen the team’s forward identity down the stretch.
“These are the types of adds that sometimes at the trade deadline would be less glamorous than some of the other moves that took place today, would be (less) glamorous than moves we’ve made in the past on this day,” McCrimmon said. “I think these guys are going to help our team.”
New-look fourth line
The Knights traded for Smith on Wednesday, sending defenseman Christoffer Sedoff and a 2028 third-round pick to the Predators. They acquired Dowd from the Capitals on Thursday in exchange for goaltender Jesper Vikman, a 2027 third-round pick and a 2029 second-rounder. To make room, forwards Alexander Holtz and Cole Reinhardt were placed on waivers; Reinhardt was claimed by Florida, and Holtz reported to Henderson of the AHL.
“When we play our best hockey, I’ve always felt that fourth line, if it’s constructed properly with the right people, has a chance to really drag you into the fight and swing momentum,” McCrimmon said.
Smith made his Knights debut Wednesday in Detroit, logging 14:13 of ice time and recording one shot. Dowd and Smith skated together on the fourth line for the first time Friday against Minnesota, with Colton Sissons moving to right wing.
Confidence in goalies
Despite league-wide speculation that the Knights might seek a goaltending upgrade, McCrimmon dismissed the notion. “There’s a lot of speculation on all kinds of things,” he said. “Some of these people have to justify their existence, so they throw a lot of spaghetti at the wall, hoping something would stick.”
McCrimmon said he likes his three goaltenders — Adin Hill, Carter Hart (week to week with a lower-body injury), and Akira Schmid — and plans to carry all three when healthy. He noted Hill found his groove before the Olympic break and was encouraged by his last start against Detroit.
New guys arrive
Dowd admitted he was surprised to be traded from Washington, where he had played 506 of his 637 NHL games. “It was definitely a shock,” he said. “It was something that I wasn’t necessarily thinking about because when you’re within a locker room for that long and within that group, what’s important is right in front of you.”
Smith, 30, said he is focused on adjusting to his new team. “Coming into a new system with new teammates, it’s always an adjustment,” he said. “I’m just trying to play as simple as I can, and hard.”
