Key part to this contract is Nosek will remain an RFA at the end of the deal. Thus remaining under VGK control. He will once again have arbitration rights however. https://t.co/BtXbpzn1dl
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 18, 2018
Author: Ken Boehlke (Page 1 of 121)
This man was the top line center for the Golden Knights… for nearly a month. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
One of the favorite offseason time wasters for fans and media types alike is to project lines for the upcoming season. Where does Paul Stastny fit in? Is Erik Haula a center or a wing? What are the chances of Erik Brannstrom or Zach Whitecloud cracking the lineup out of the camp? They are all legitimate questions, and who am I to stop those debates, but while writing the article on Vadim Shipachyov’s hatred for Vegas I stumbled across a line chart from early in the season last year. It looks quite a bit different from what we saw in the Stanley Cup Final and it might put a bit of pause on some of those line projection discussions.
Last year the Golden Knights were a brand new franchise with a collection of players who had never played together. There were no clear-cut lines or pairings to bank on heading into the year. So, obviously, things are a bit different going into 2018-19, but take a look at the line charts from Game 1 and Game 6 of last season.
Cody Eakin, top line center. Brayden McNabb, scratched for Brad Hunt, Jon Merrill, and Luca Sbisa. William Karlsson and Erik Haula, interchangeable at wing and center. Oscar Lindberg, relied upon center. Shea Theodore, in the AHL.
The point is, things change, and in a hurry. The Golden Knights are almost certainly going to head into 2018-19 with Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault, and William Karlsson as the top line, but beyond that, almost everything is flexible.
The roster that broke camp and headed to Dallas included eight players that did not play a second in the Stanley Cup Final. Eight out of 23 is 35% of the roster. 35% of the Golden Knights roster at the start of the year was not there at the end.
It wasn’t until Game 8 that the Karlsson line was created. Schmidt wasn’t paired with McNabb until Game 18.
The Golden Knights middle six and all three defensive pairings are far from set in stone. However, when we finally get to camp and we finally get to see what’s on the reigning Jack Adams’ Award winner’s mind, remember what you see then probably isn’t what you’ll be seeing when the games really start to count.
Ok, now go back to projecting your favorite line pairings and D pairings. Here’s what I’m thinking…
Smith-Karlsson-Marchessault
Tatar-Haula-Tuch
Nosek-Stastny-McKenzie
Eakin-Bellemare-Carrier
Schmidt-Holden
Theodore-McNabb
Miller-Engelland
What are the chances someone in this picture asked a question? (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
The offseason is boring me, so ask me some questions. Will RT with answers to every single one that comes in as a direct reply to this tweet.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
Blue light is scattered in all directions by the tiny molecules of air in Earth's atmosphere. Blue is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. This is why we see a blue sky most of the time. https://t.co/UxgWvJfk2x
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
Wouldn't be opposed to it. Any time there's a high-end player available via trade for somewhat of a discount, it's always worth a look. https://t.co/O2OnxeytV4
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
It's got to be. My favorite goal is still the Theodore one vs. the Lightning. The OT game winners in the playoffs were pretty cool too. https://t.co/VGwTCktCrT
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
I'm not going to overreact to the Final. Throughout the rest of the playoffs and a majority of the year they were pretty good. There will be some competition in training camp with Whitecloud, Brannstrom, Reinhart, Leslie, Holm, and Oligny too. I'm not worried about it. https://t.co/dIMYneZ7v7
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
Depends who his linemates are. I think he can excel with Stastny. https://t.co/2r7SLLH3Dw
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
Absolutely. I think they are a playoff-caliber team and they've got an elite goalie. A lot has to fall right to get there, and a lot did a year ago, but there's no reason to think they should suddenly become an expansion team. https://t.co/ZLANo7XKMp
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
I think the ball is in Ottawa's court. I think three or four teams have offers in, Ottawa hasn't been quite happy enough with any of them. Everyone knows he has to go at some point so eventually the Sens will crack. Does that mean he comes here? No clue. https://t.co/ITR2y1K6iO
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
Here are my peferred lines…
Marchessault-Karlsson-Smith
Tatar-Haula-Tuch
Nosek-Stastny-McKenzie/Hyka/Carpenter
Eakin-Bellemare-Carrier/Reaves(I'd consider flipping the 2nd and 3rd centers too) https://t.co/xZmGjHXRxV
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 14, 2018
🌸
FLEURY
HAS
SOME
REALLY
BIG
NEWS
❗️#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/JXRllYGcvo
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) July 13, 2018
Marc-Andre Fleury – @GoldenKnights:
2019-20 – $8.5 million
2020-21 – $6.5 million
2021-22 – $6 million
Total: 3 years, $21 million, $7 million AAV— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 13, 2018
Limited no trade clause in Marc-André Fleury extension. https://t.co/P8O5U57giZ
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) July 13, 2018
Per @frank_seravalli, Fleury's three year extension has a cap hit of $7M.
The most comparable contract to Fleury's three year $7M AAV contract is Ryan Miller's three year contract signed by the #Canucks in 2014https://t.co/7wYK9sfuiE pic.twitter.com/5AH5hMwXwz
— CapFriendly (@CapFriendly) July 13, 2018
"Goaltenders can play longer than most other positions. We made this decision based on some analytics, some experience and the type of athlete Marc-Andre is." -McPhee
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 13, 2018
"I wish I had a better face." -Fleury on being called the 'face of the franchise'
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 13, 2018
"This organization gave me a chance to play. To do what I love to do." -Marc-Andre Fleury pic.twitter.com/o7b9WBZNWx
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 13, 2018
Marc-Andre the Meteorologist? pic.twitter.com/bLincFCSwN
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) July 13, 2018
The only player to ever retire as a Golden Knight is back in the news dropping bombs on the Vegas coaching staff, his agent, and even the city of Las Vegas. Vadim Shipachyov did an interview with Sports-Express.ru which touched on a myriad of topics surrounding his time in Vegas including how and why it all came to an end.
Note: The interview was conducted and printed in Russian so the translations are a bit rough.
I forgot everything that happened last season, like a terrible dream. -Vadim Shipachyov
Shipachyov signed with the Golden Knights on May 4th, more than a month prior to the Expansion Draft. When Vegas’ roster was set, Shipachyov’s two-year $9 million contract had the KHL import as the highest paid center on the team. When he arrived in Vegas, a few weeks before training camp, he was expected to be the Golden Knights’ top line center, and when camp got underway, the eventual Jack Adams winner slotted him on a line with Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith.
In a lose lose situation, the Golden Knights somehow won. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Shipachyov remained on that line through most of the preseason but was left off the Golden Knights opening day roster in Dallas. At the time it was described as a numbers move. Shipachyov was waiver exempt, so he could be sent to the AHL without the possibility of being picked up by another team, which allowed McPhee to protect players like Griffin Reinhart, Jason Garrison, and Calvin Pickard. Shipachyov did not report to the AHL, but McPhee said the team was okay with it. Then, Marchessault and Erik Haula were both injured in the same game. Both were placed on the IR and two NHL roster spots were open. McPhee recalled Shipachyov (and Alex Tuch) and he was played as the center of the third line with Tuch and Brendan Leipsic. Shipachyov played in three games, saw the ice for a total of 32 minutes, and scored one goal. When Marchessault returned from injury, McPhee chose to keep Tuch rather than Shipachyov, and this time Shipachyov was expected to report to the AHL.
He did… for one practice. Then he left and was formally suspended by the team. McPhee allowed his agent to seek out a trade but no agreement was found. Shipachyov then “voluntarily” retired, effectively ending his contract and taking his salary off the Golden Knights books. Shipachyov returned to Russia to his former team, SKA St. Petersburg. By the time the KHL season closed, Shipachyov had fallen out of the starting lineup and was a healthy scratch on the Olympic Athletes of Russia team that won the gold medal. He was not offered a contract by SKA St. Petersburg and will play this season with a lesser team in Dynamo Moscow. “Terrible dream” probably puts it politely.
Yes, a lot of things were written about me. I do not even want to understand it. There was too much untruth. -Shipachyov
Another portion of the Shipachyov “terrible dream” was a mishap at the time he originally signed with the Golden Knights. On May 4th, his contract was announced and he was introduced as a Golden Knight. On May 6th, the contract was voided by the NHL and had to be re-submitted. Reports as to why were that the contract included a “no move” or “no trade” clause that Shipachyov was not eligible for. In other words, Shipachyov and his agent were focused on one thing, making sure Vadim played in the NHL. When he was sent to the AHL, and told he had to report, he less than pleased.
Let’s say I did not know for sure that if you come in the first year, you can send him to the AHL for an indefinite period. Do you know how they explained to me? Like, go to the AHL, where you will earn even more than in the NHL since the contract is one-sided, and the escrow does not need to be paid. I did not understand this because I did not go to the NHL for money. I’m not interested in playing in the AHL. -Shipachyov
It is correct, playing in the AHL on a contract like Shipachyov’s would indeed have earned him more money, but that’s not what he wanted. He wanted to play in the NHL.
When I played three matches, I thought that in the future it will be better. I was ready to be on the ice for ten minutes, in the third or fourth lines. I did not see anything terrible in this. I understood very well that I still needed to get used to the NHL, to adapt. Still, I’ve never played in such a league. And if I were given this time, then I would be used to it. It is clear that in North America the game is played with more power and less space. But I felt I was progressing. -Shipachyov
Gallant and/or McPhee disagreed. However, Shipachyov doesn’t believe he was ever told the truth.
It’s finally come time to discuss what the Golden Knights depth chart might look like in 2018-19. Hosted by Ken Boehlke and Jason Pothier.
- Cody Eakin or Erik Haula as the final center?
- Tomas Nosek: The Wildcard
- How the Golden Knights forwards could possibly lineup
- What’s the plan if it’s not Erik Karlsson?
- Jobs before journalism
And much more…
We are on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Subscribe now!
T-Mobile Arena is going to feel a bit different for opening night puck drop this year. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
A year ago the Golden Knights were slated to be the worst team in the NHL. Sportsbooks all over town listed them as high as 500:1 to win the Cup before the season and William Hill had the season point total in 2017-18 set at a measly 69 points.
Then the Golden Knights went out and racked up 109 regular season points, won the Pacific Division, and won 13 playoff games en route to a Western Conference Championship.
Needless to say, expectations have changed a bit heading into 2018-19. Recently, William Hill listed the season point total prop for the Golden Knights at a whopping 94.5 points. Plus, they’ve listed a few other betting options.
Flyers @ Golden Knights – October 4th
Flyers +155
Golden Knights -175
Flyers +1.5 (puckline) -200
Golden Knights -1.5 (puckline) +175
Over 6 goals +100
Under 6 goals -130
Golden Knights to win Western Conference
Yes +400
No -500
Golden Knights to win Stanley Cup
Yes +850
No -1450
And they say hockey is in the offseason. Not at the betting window, and never at SinBin.vegas.
One was signed before the Expansion Draft, another was selected in the Expansion Draft, and the third was acquired at the trade deadline. Tomas Hyka, Tomas Nosek, and Tomas Tatar combined to play 97 games for the Golden Knights in 2017-18 in which they scored 12 goals and tallied 12 assists.
Aside from a few magical moments from Nosek and a couple solid postseason efforts from Tatar, the trio of Tomases were nothing but role players for the Golden Knights in their run to the Stanley Cup Final.
In 2018-19, that should change.
By letting David Perron and James Neal leave via free agency and signing just one NHL-caliber forward, George McPhee has signaled that he believes the team has enough fire-power already within the organization to pick up the 90 points he let walk out the door.
That’s where the Tomases come in. All three should have expanded roles as Tatar is expected to move up the depth chart to become a second line winger, Nosek has a legitimate shot at making his way onto the third (or even second) line and any production out of Hyka would be a bonus compared to the Brendan Leipsic era.
More of this would be good. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
Tatar is a perennial 20 goal scorer but never hit his stride after coming over from Detroit at the deadline. He’s almost certainly going to be placed in a more offensive role, likely playing with some combination of Erik Haula, Paul Stastny, and Alex Tuch. Tatar posted a 94.0 PDO in his 20 game stint with the Golden Knights, a full five points below his career average, and the worst on-ice shooting percentage for and on-ice shooting percentage against numbers of his career. These are heavy indicators that as poor as Tatar appeared, it’s probable he’ll bounce back. (If you forgot what PDO is, click here) He’s the not-so-secret weapon. A weapon the Golden Knights can’t afford to have struggle again.
This picture sums it up The Creator’s style perfectly. In the picture, but not in the way. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)
It wasn’t an officially stated goal, but one of the most impressive accomplishments the Golden Knights achieved in their first season was truly becoming an NHL team. From the moment the puck dropped to the end we’re still trying to forget, there was never a feeling that the Golden Knights, or Vegas, was new to this. The building felt like an NHL arena, the fan base had the same (or more) passion as any other, and both the on and off ice products matched those of places that have been playing hockey games for decades.
Sure there were quirks like the opening “show” or the drumline, but there wasn’t anything a hockey fan can pinpoint and say “that’s something only an expansion team would do.” NHL.com columnist Nick Cotsonika put it as simply, but powerfully when he told me, “it feels like this team has been here forever.” That’s a testament to the entire staff, top to bottom.
However, there is one guy who is new to the NHL in every sense of the word and he’s not trying to fit in.
I guess I’m a different type of owner. I like to be with the guys and the coaches and the hockey staff, learn as much as I can, interchange with them, goof around with them, that’s kind of my style. Most owners don’t do that. I believe the players like it. I believe I had some small piece in our success and I’m going to keep on doing it and we’re going to get better. –The Creator on Vegas Hockey Hotline on 6/22/18
The owner of the newest franchise might be the most hands-on owner in the entire league. He gave locker room speeches. He ate meals with the team regularly. He bought a ping pong table, a dart board, and a bubble hockey machine because he heard players mention they “needed” them. He even arranged for car washes and detailing to take place in the parking lot of City National Arena because Marc-Andre Fleury mentioned one time that he didn’t have time to clean his car.
Then, when the players weren’t using it, he went military style on them in a way only an owner like him could.
So a couple of days later I had a meeting with the guys and I said, “It’s like the military. Use it or lose it.” I told them, “If you don’t use that car wash and detailing, I’m pulling it because I’m not going to have these guys just sitting around.” The next day there were 17 cars lined up. –The Creator to The Hockey News
He’s different, in a good way. I’ve talked to plenty of players about the owner and they all seem to genuinely enjoy his style. Where most hands-on owners want to be one of the guys, The Creator actually seems to have become one of the guys. So much so that there’s a “team policy” in which calling him by the wrong name costs you a pretty penny.
