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Things are Happening in Vegas....and Toronto.

July 23, 2019, 6:37 PM ET [10 Comments]
Jeff Paul
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Well, the seemingly inevitable signing of defenseman Deryk Engelland has finally taken place. He and the Golden Knights have agreed to a one year contract with a cap hit of $700k. With performance bonuses, the 37-year-old could make up to $1.5 million total during the 2019-20 season.

Vegas Golden Knights on Twitter

✍️ The Golden Knights have re-signed Deryk Engelland to a one-year contract!!! #VegasBorn https://t.co/aGLI5OT6mN



Also, in a more shocking turn of events, General Manager George McPhee has swung a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, acquiring goaltender Garret Sparks in exchange for David Clarkson and a 2020 4th round draft pick. Clarkson has yet to play a game with the Golden Knights as he has unofficially retired and now coaches youth hockey in his spare time. His contract will expire at the end of the 2019-20 season.

Renaud Lavoie on Twitter

The @GoldenKnights are trying to get rid of David Clarkson contract and I'm told the @MapleLeafs could be the team that can trade for him.



Sparks will almost certainly report to the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, filling the void left by the departure of Maxime Lagace, who was signed by the Boston Bruins (potential payback for the Golden Knights' waiver claim of Malcolm Subban?). Sparks had an 8-9-1 record in 20 games with the Maple Leafs, to the tune of a 3.15 GAA and .902 save percentage. Subban was and still is the primary back-up and heir-apparent to Marc-Andre Fleury.

With the trade, the Golden Knights now have less pressure to get under the cap ceiling at the start of the season, but they have not yet cleared enough cap to sign Nikita Gusev to the $4 million AAV contract he is seeking. Without an active player being moved, the Golden Knights won't have the funds for Gusev. Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.

Vegas' salary cap situation is included in the Tweet below:

Jeff Paul (VGK) on Twitter

Where are we now? The @GoldenKnights now have $79.235 million (not including Curtis McKenzie) committed to 14 forwards, 6 defensemen (including Nick Holden and Engelland), and two goalies (🌸 and Suuub). This leaves them with $2.265 million in cap space. #VegasBorn https://t.co/ng3ywVV13A



As always, you can find me Tweeting away on the Twitter.
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