March 12, 2024 | 9:40am ET
TheFourthPeriod.com

HERTL COULDN’T SAY NO TO VEGAS

Tomas Hertl, forward

The hockey world was taken aback when the San Jose Sharks traded All-Star forward Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights on trade deadline day.

All day Friday, TFP’s David Pagnotta reported the Knights were up to something big. During morning appearances on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio and TSN 690 in Montreal and later in the afternoon on NHL Network during the network’s trade deadline coverage, Pagnotta had indicated a big move coming in Sin City. Nobody, however, expected the Golden Knights to acquire Hertl.

Hertl, 30, has six more years left on his contract after this season. He had to waive his no-movement clause and accept a trade to Vegas, something he told NHL.com was something he felt he had to do.

“You’re always thinking about your options because the recent situation in San Jose, it wasn’t easy the last couple of years,” Hertl said. “... Last couple of years, after halfway through the season you’re out. Every year, it definitely gets harder and harder, especially this year.

“It was tough to leave San Jose, but I couldn’t say no because I’m now in my 30s. I think I still have a lot to bring, and San Jose is just in a different spot. You can win here (in Vegas) now or next year and then next year after, and that’s where I'm really looking forward, because like a hockey player you want to win the Cup.”

According to Pagnotta, the Sharks and Knights first spoke about a possible Hertl move last off-season and again earlier this season, but those conversations were shelved after Hertl got injured. Talks resumed recently and picked up steam Tuesday of last week, a few days from the deadline.

Ahead of last summer’s NHL Draft, teams also spoke to the Sharks about captain Logan Couture. While some discussions occurred this season, Couture’s injury trouble placed those conversations on hold.

For Hertl, the decision to waive his NMC for Vegas wasn’t exclusively his call. His wife signed off on the move, as well.

“When I told (my wife) Vegas, I don’t think so she minded because (Knights assistant coach) Joel Ward, we played together, so my wife knew his wife, so we heard from them it was great to live here and stuff,” he said. “So, it definitely helped them, but I just think Vegas is my team now.”

Hertl, who remains on IR, expects to hit the ice in a couple of weeks. The Knights hope to see him in action before the regular-season wraps, which will allow Hertl to get a few games in before the playoffs get underway.

In 48 games with the Sharks this season, Hertl registered 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points.