NHL | GLOSSA: Hertl is like a super-clump. The champions raised the stakes, the competition dropped its chin

Those who followed the events before Friday’s transfer deadline saw what a shock the exchange of the 30-year-old striker caused overseas. For a moment, both the experts and the fans had their jaws dropped. And it was similar with the competition. If anyone doubted who was the winner of one of the most watched days of the regular season, Hertl’s trade definitely cut it. The 712-game actor is still a difference-maker, which Vegas knows well. And he can play the same role as the Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, who is injured until the end of the season.

At the same time, the smiling gentleman from Šeberov had his share with the Sharks, who drafted him in 2012 and where he spent eleven seasons. A privileged position on the ice and in the cabin, plus an extraordinary contract (65.1 million for eight years) and a good background for the family, after all, both children of Mr. and Mrs. Hertl were born in California.

But the fat years of the Sharks are over. The last five seasons have been more of a purgatory for the former NHL heavyweights. And in the Czech forward, who had a clause in his contract that he had to agree to a possible exchange, there were growing doubts whether he would ever see battles for the Stanley Cup again. The lure of the neon lights of the sinful city was more than strong.

Vegas broke into the NHL in style in 2017, and last year they also won the most valuable trophy. And Hertl, who is recovering from knee surgery, was promised that he will fight for the silver cup this year as well. The golden squad is practically identical to the sleepy ride of the last playoffs, and McCrimmon, in addition to the Czech reinforcement, has strengthened it with other solid additions: Anthony Mantha and Noah Hanifin.

Although the Golden Knights are currently only six points above the progress line of the Western Conference, their quality is impressive in every way. When they tune up by mid-April, it should be a sledgehammer again in their performance.

And Hertl, who last played in the playoffs in 2019, will go headfirst into it. This is already known.

2024-03-09 08:14:58
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