Vegas Golden Knights place trade deadline acquisition Tomas Hertl on the LTIR

Even after acquiring Noah Hanifin from Calgary, the Vegas Golden Knights weren't done at the trade deadline, as they would then go on to use their 2025 first-round draft pick and prospect David Edstrom to land Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks. This did nothing to cool the criticism over their use of LTIR, as the team had just placed both Jack Eichel and Mark Stone on LTIR, with many fans expecting them back for the playoffs.

Now, the Golden Knights were dealt another blow, as newly acquired Hertl has joined the two veteran stars on LTIR, giving them room to recall Jiri Patera, adding up to $21 million currently sitting on LTIR.

It's easy to see why other fans get frustrated with Vegas, especially given the success they've achieved by being such a new team, but their aggressiveness in using every loophole has helped them there. Unfortunately for fans of other teams, this is allowed under the rules of the NHL's CBA, and until Gary Bettman changes things up, the Golden Knights can continue going the way that they are.

Now the team will look to the playoffs, if they can remain in the Wild Card race given all these injuries, and if they can get Stone, Eichel and Hertl all healthy, they'll be one of the toughest teams in the West once more.

Source: Golden Knights place Tomas Hertl on long-term injury reserve