Knowledge is power.
That's why it would appear a handful of NHL general managers are reaching out to the management team of the Vegas Golden Knights, in an attempt to gather as much of it as they can.
At least six teams have made contact with Vegas' brass to try and gain as much information as possible, intelligence that can help determine how a team might approach the trade deadline, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.
Custance explains why such information can be so important for a team:
It's smart, really. If a team thinks they're going to lose a player to Vegas, maybe there's more motivation to make a move now. And what better way to get a sense of the Golden Knights' strategy than to call the Golden Knights?
One GM, who remained anonymous, explained what kind of information teams might be eager to get their hands on.
"Everyone is trying to find the tipping point to dealing assets to protect players," said one GM. "What's it going to cost to have (Vegas GM) George (McPhee) leave a player alone versus trading an unprotected player for assets now?"
As another general manager explains, you could see teams try to - for a lack of a better word - bribe the Golden Knights with assets in order to cover themselves and their own players.
"It all depends on the player," said another GM. "There are going to be teams that go to George and say, 'Don't pick this guy, take this guy, we'll give you a second(-round pick).' Or, 'here's a first, go away.' It's not supposed to be a great draft. He may end up with five first-round picks."
Vegas can start making trades once the final sale of the team is complete, which is expected to be on or around the trade deadline - March 1. After that, things could get very interesting in the Sin City.
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