Golden Knights acquire Flames' Noah Hanifin in 3-team trade - ESPN

The Vegas Golden Knights acquired prized Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin in a three-team trade Wednesday night as they chase a second straight Stanley Cup championship.

In exchange for Hanifin, the Flames receive defenseman Daniil Miromanov, a first-round pick and a conditional third-round pick from the Knights. Philadelphia receives a 2024 fifth-round selection from Vegas.

Hanifin's contract carries a $4.95 million cap hit. He was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, having informed the Flames he was going to test the market. There's speculation the Golden Knights will sign Hanifin to a contract extension.

Hanifin, 27, is in his ninth NHL season. He was drafted fifth overall by the Hurricanes in 2015 and played three seasons in Carolina before being traded to Calgary. The left defenseman has 35 points in 61 games this season and is averaging 23:46 in ice time.

Hanifin is 27th among defensemen in points over the past three seasons, plays well in transition, and defensively is great on puck retrievals and zone exits with possession. He played in all situations for the Flames, including on their top penalty-killing unit.

The Boston native can contribute moderately on the offensive end, but his true value is swallowing up minutes on the back end and matching up against an opponent's top line. He has 274 points in 659 career games.

Hanifin was ranked No. 2 on ESPN's NHL trade deadline board. The Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers were among the teams that inquired about him.

The Golden Knights now boast one of the NHL's deepest defense corps. Hanifin joins a group that includes Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore and Alec Martinez, all of whom were on