Golden Knights Acquire Bottom-6 Forward from Nashville

Vegas sends 3rd-round pick to Predators for 30-year-old winger Cole Smith

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The Vegas Golden Knights made their first trade of the NHL trade deadline week, acquiring winger Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators on Tuesday in exchange for a 3rd-round pick in 2028.

Why it matters

The Golden Knights are looking to bolster their bottom-6 forward group ahead of the playoffs, adding depth and experience with the acquisition of the 30-year-old Smith, who has 10 points in 43 games for the Predators this season.

The details

The trade sees the Golden Knights send their 3rd-round pick in 2028 to the Predators in exchange for Cole Smith, a bottom-6 winger who has spent the past 5 seasons in Nashville. Smith provides the Golden Knights with additional forward depth as they look to make a deep playoff run.

  • The trade was completed on Tuesday, March 4, 2026.

The players

Cole Smith

A 30-year-old winger who has spent the past 5 seasons with the Nashville Predators, recording 10 points in 43 games this season.

Vegas Golden Knights

The NHL team based in Las Vegas, Nevada that acquired Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 3rd-round pick in 2028.

Nashville Predators

The NHL team based in Nashville, Tennessee that traded Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a 3rd-round pick in 2028.

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The takeaway

The Golden Knights' acquisition of Cole Smith from the Predators is an attempt to add depth and experience to their bottom-6 forward group ahead of the NHL playoffs, as they look to make a deep postseason run.