In a significant trade move, the Vegas Golden Knights have acquired center Tomas Hertl and two third-round picks from the San Jose Sharks. League sources report that the Sharks will retain 17 percent of Hertl's salary in the deal.

Hertl, a 30-year-old forward, has been a key player for the Sharks, scoring 15 goals and providing 19 assists in 48 games this season. Although currently on long-term injured reserve after knee surgery, Hertl is expected to make a strong impact on the Golden Knights' offense when he returns. Over his career, Hertl has tallied an impressive 218 goals and 266 assists in 712 games.

This acquisition comes just days after the Golden Knights secured defenseman Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames in a three-team trade involving the Philadelphia Flyers. As part of that deal, Vegas will send a first-round pick to the Flames in 2026.

The addition of Hertl bolsters the Golden Knights' forward depth, as he is known for his playmaking abilities and offensive prowess. With stars like Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, and Chandler Stephenson already in their ranks, the Golden Knights now boast one of the strongest center groups in the league.

The trade certainly came at a cost for Vegas, as they had to part ways with prospect David Edstrom and a first-round pick in 2025. However, with the Sharks retaining a portion of Hertl's salary, his cap hit for the Golden Knights will be a reasonable $6.75 million per season until 2029-30. Considering Hertl's consistent performance, this could prove to be a great value deal for Vegas.

As the Golden Knights currently hold a solid 33-23-7 record and sit fourth in the Pacific Division, the addition of Hertl is expected to further strengthen their offensive capabilities. With the hope of a healthy Hertl returning to the lineup, the Golden Knights aim to make a deep playoff run with their star-studded roster.

Overall, this trade showcases the Golden Knights' commitment to bolstering their lineup and making a strong push for the Stanley Cup. Vegas fans eagerly await the return of Hertl, whose presence is expected to bring an immediate impact to the team's in-zone offense.