Hurricanes Capture 2nd Stanley Cup, Fulfilling Dundon's 8-Year Bet

Q: With a severe cap crunch looming, which star player will the Golden Knights be forced to trade this offseason?

Tomáš Hertl appears to be the Golden Knights’ most likely cap-casualty this offseason. The reporting around Vegas’ cap situation points to a tight squeeze: the club is projected to have only modest space while needing to address Pavel Dorofeyev’s next deal and other roster decisions. Among the names floated as trade candidates, Hertl stands out because of his contract and profile. He carries a $6.75 million annual cap hit through 2029-30, is entering his age-33 season, and, while still productive, is no longer viewed as indispensable at that price if Vegas needs to prioritize younger core pieces. Adin Hill is also a serious possibility, especially with his $6.25 million cap hit and questions about his role after Carter Hart’s rise. But the broader cap analysis in the available reporting more consistently identifies Hertl as the star player Vegas would be most pressured to move if it needs meaningful relief. So while nothing is official, the best-supported answer is Hertl, with Hill as the other major name to watch.

3 articles · Updated · NHL.com · Jun 15

Eight years after buying the franchise, owner Tom Dundon saw Carolina win the Stanley Cup, capping the long-term investment and "commitment" highlighted in the latest report.
The title was sealed with a 3-0 Game 6 victory over Vegas in Las Vegas, giving the Hurricanes their second NHL championship.
Taylor Hall, Jackson Blake and Nikolaj Ehlers scored in the clincher, while goaltender Brandon Bussi stopped 22 shots for his third postseason win.
The championship closes a rebuild-era arc for Carolina and denies the Golden Knights, coached by John Tortorella, a second Stanley Cup.