NHL Trade Deadline: Prized defenseman Noah Hanifin ‘is headed to VEGAS after defending-champion Golden Knights reach deal with Flames ahead of Stanley Cup Playoff push’

The defending Stanley Cup champions are reportedly adding an All-Star defenseman ahead of Friday’s NHL trade deadline.

Calgary Flames blueliner Noah Hanifin is on his way to the Vegas Golden Aces, who could offer the soon-to-be free agent a massive contract extension, according to multiple outlets.

The 27-year-old is currently in the final year of his six-year, $30 million contract and was expected to be among the most prized free agents this summer.

According to TSN’s Darren DregerVegas will send a first-round pick to Calgary (30-26-5), as well as defenseman Daniil Miromanov and a conditional third-round pick.

The Flames are trading for Hanifin within the Pacific Division, but with Calgary unlikely to make the playoffs, team general manager Craig Conroy appears to be okay with sending a prized player to a rival.

The deal comes one day after the Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Capitals.

The defending champion Golden Knights (33-22-7) have a firm grip on one of the Western Conference’s two wild card spots.

At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Hanifin is considered one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Not only did he anchor the league’s premier penalty kill unit, but he is frequently tasked with facing his opponents’ best scorers.

According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, Vegas will send a first-round pick to Calgary (30-26-5), as well as defenseman Daniil Miromanov (pictured) and a conditional third-round pick.

Hanifin has 35 points this season: 24 assists and 11 goals.

Re-signing him could prove difficult for Las Vegas, particularly if the Bruins decide to try to land the Boston native this summer, when they should have nearly $50 million in cap space.

The deal comes one day after the Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Washington Capitals.

Vegas sent a 2024 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Washington for the pending free agent winger. The Capitals keep half of Mantha’s salary.

Mantha just reached 20 goals in a season for the first time since 2019. He gives Vegas a valuable depth player as they try to become the first repeat title winner since Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.

The 29-year-old was one of several potential trade candidates the Capitals have to move before Friday’s deadline. Fellow forwards Max Pacioretty and Nicolas Aube-Kubel and defenseman Joel Edmundson are also pending free agents expected to be traded, along with center Nic Dowd and goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who are signed through next season.

The Golden Knights may not be done negotiating either as they look to make another deep playoff run. After putting captain Mark Stone on long-term injured reserve, they have more cap space to use on acquisitions.