Vegas Golden Knights acquire Noah Hanifin from Calgary Flames

The Vegas Golden Knights have acquired defenceman Noah Hanifin from the Calgary Flames in exchange for a conditional 2025 first-round pick, defensive prospect Daniil Miromanov, and a conditional third-round pick.

The conditions on the draft picks are as follows, from the Flames official press release that announced tonight's transaction:

“In the event Vegas possesses their own first (1st) round choice in the 2025 NHL Draft on March 10, 2024 AND in the event Vegas’ 2025 first (1st) round choice is NOT a top-10 pick (i.e. – picks 11 – 32 inclusive) in the 2025 NHL Draft (after the 2025 NHL draft lottery results), Vegas shall convey their own 2025 first (1st) round choice to Calgary.  In the event Vegas does not possess their own first (1st) round choice in the 2025 NHL Draft due to the above noted condition(s), Vegas shall convey their own 2026 first (1st) round choice to Calgary.”

“In the event Vegas advances to the second (2nd) round of the 2024 NHL playoffs, Vegas shall convey their second (2nd) round choice in the 2025 NHL Draft in lieu of 2024 third (3rd) round choice."

Hanifin, 27, was a pending unrestricted free agent in the final season of a six-year, $29.7-million contract, though rumours have circulated – and been refuted, by some – suggesting that he may sign an extension with the Golden Knights in the not-so-distant future.

Before leaving for Vegas, Hanifin was deployed like a top-pairing defenceman for the Flames, setting a new career-high in average ice time at 23:46 a night in all situations. He escaped those minutes with a positive goal differential and strong territorial numbers, all while setting a new career-high in goals (11) 58 games into the season.

Going the Flames way is a collection of assets highlighted by the conditional 2025 first-round pick, though general manager Craig Conroy also sounds reasonably excited about Miromanov. He's a 26-year-old, 6-foot-4, right-shot blueliner who's generated really strong results with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL but struggled to crack the Golden Knights full-time. It sounds like he'll get a chance to play in Calgary, though.