Vegas Golden Knights moving on from 4 players including former 1st round pick

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Cooper Godin
June 3, 2024 (12:26)

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Teams around the National Hockey League have begun to make decisions on whether or not they'll bring back certain players and that was the case with the Vegas Golden Knights recently.

This summer is going to be busy for Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon with a number of key players becoming unrestricted free agents on July 1st. It appears that McCrimmon and the Golden Knights' management staff have already informed some of those UFAs that they won't be re-signed.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, former first round pick Anthony Mantha, along with forwards Michael Amadio and William Carrier will not be returning to Vegas next season and will hit the open market on Canada Day.

Pagnotta added that Alex Martinez doesn't have a spot on the Golden Knights' blueline anymore and he is evaluating his options ahead of the summer.

"Here's what we know so far: forwards Michael Amadio, William Carrier and Anthony Mantha will not be brought back. All three are aware and are planning to test the free agent market July 1. Defenceman Alec Martinez doesn't appear to have a spot on the blueline any longer; he'll be 37 in late-July and word is he's evaluating his options." Pagnotta said.

Mantha, 29, was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He spent parts of six seasons in Detroit before being dealt to the Washington Capitals in 2021. After parts of four seasons in D.C., the Capitals shipped Mantha to the Golden Knights for a second round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and a fourth rounder in 2026.

The Longueuil, Quebec native appeared in 18 games for Vegas during the regular season where he put up ten points (three goals, seven assists), eight penalty minutes and was a plus-six. He also skated in three Stanley Cup Playoff games, but went pointless.

It'll be interesting to see what the Golden Knights do this summer on the free agent market, especially when it comes to one of their own UFAs, Jonathan Marchessault. Vegas has said they would like to keep the 33-year-old around, but there's a pretty good chance he'll at least test the open market on July 1st to see what he can get after putting up 42 goals in the 2023-24 campaign.

Source - The Fourth Period: WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS DOESN'T ALWAYS STAY IN VEGAS