Free Agents are refusing to sign with a certain team because of how they handle players

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Ryan
July 14, 2022 (9:58 PM)

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When it comes to NHL teams, some are loyal to their players and some stick to the motto of it's just a business and don't show the players the respect and appreciation that they deserve by bringing in the fans to support to team.

One of the teams that has not been showing respect to their players are the Vegas Golden Knights. After going all the way to the Stanley Cup finals in their first season, they've almost completely replaced their inaugural ''golden misfits'' team with new players, and moving out some fan favourites in the process.

Fans and players alike were not impressed with how the Golden Knights handled the Marc-Andre Fleury situation last season, nor trading away some of the misfits to fit in the Alex Pietrangelo contract. Now the Knights have traded away another fan favourite in Max Pacioretty for absolutely nothing.

According to multiple NHL executives, Vegas takes its motto of ''its just a business'' to a whole new level and because of this, free agents have been hesitant to sign with the Golden Knights.

A "large number" of players around the league have taken notice on how the Golden Knights conduct business, and refuse to play for them.

According to several NHL executives, most believe that Vegas is disrespectful to their own, and take the motto "it's a business" to an absurd level.

While it started as just rumours, has now been confirmed by an article in the Athletic, where a player agent said:

Vegas treats you great until they dont. They've gone from the team of opportunity, the 'golden misfits' or whatever, to the 'evil empire. As an agent, you have to warn your guy that he's expendable as soon as his salary doesn't fit with the plan. Look at what happened with (Marc-Andre) Fleury. I think as long as they win they'll avoid problems, but if they have a losing season, watch out.