The Golden Knights lineup on Thursday, Alec Martinez’s first game, included six defensemen that all shoot with the same hand. Nate Schmidt, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore, Nick Holden, Jon Merrill, and Martinez all shoot with their left hand.
In the NHL this season, of the 294 defensemen to make an appearance, 175 of them, or 60%, shoot left-handed. So, it’s not abnormal that Vegas has a bevy of them, but icing an entire lineup lacking a single right-hand shot defenseman is far from common.
The Golden Knights have used a roster with all lefties four different times this season. I looked as hard as I could, and I can’t find a single other team that has done it once this year. (Because I know you’re wondering, they were a winless 0-3-0 before Thursday)
This season, the Golden Knights have only used two defensemen that shoot with their right-hand; Deryk Engelland and Zach Whitecloud. They’ve played a combined 56 games. The next closest team with the fewest number games by right-handed defenseman is Arizona with 93. Every other team has over 100 with many over 200.
The reason the Golden Knights have been able to get away with it is because of how many players they have that are comfortable playing on both sides. Since joining the Golden Knights, Schmidt, Theodore, and Holden have all seen significant time playing both sides and Martinez may have more experience doing it than all three combined.
He’s a left-shot, from what I understand he’s very comfortable on the right and he’s very good on the right. That versatility’s nice. Having a guy, even though he’s not a right-shot that’s very comfortable on the right is important. -DeBoer
The Golden Knights wasted no time putting that skill to use. In Martinez’s first game, he was paired with Jon Merrill with Martinez playing the right. Not even a period deep, he scored a goal playing the left partnered with Shea Theodore. Later in the game, he killed penalties on the right with both Schmidt and McNabb, and as a power-play expired he played a full shift on the left of Holden.
We get a two-time Stanley Cup champion. We get a guy with real good leadership ability, very versatile in that he plays left defense and right defense equally well, excellent penalty kill defenseman, good in transition, and a player that we just really feel is going to improve our team and have a significant impact on our group. -McCrimmon
And this was all in a game in which Martinez isn’t even yet comfortable in the system, against the hottest team in the league nonetheless.
All the d-men and coaches were just helping me with particular situations where they handle things in a little bit different manner than I’m accustomed to. -Martinez
Moving forward, the Golden Knights are expected to use the six lefty lineup quite a bit (and if the rumors are true, they may add another left to the mix by Monday).
The versatility of four of the six gives DeBoer pretty much a blank canvas to work with. I’ve pointed out the possibility of using Schmidt and Theodore together, I’ve heard an idea of Martinez taking McNabb’s place on the top-pair, or they could leave it as is and roll out a pretty balanced trio of d-pairs.
Where we are tonight isn’t necessarily where we’re going to end up but that’s where we’re going to start. -DeBoer
He’s got puck-movers, skaters, stay-at-home guys, shot blockers, penalty killers, and a bevy of guys who can be relied upon against any competition.
Having six lefties isn’t ideal, but for the Golden Knights, it might just work.
Brian
What time does Central Registry office open? Let’s hear some news on Gustafsson.
Ken Boehlke
It’s always open. I’m with ya, would be great.
james Regdos
Yes guafasson what do you think we’d need to give up and would we need to get a contract extension in place before a trade was made ? Also what’s his grading compared to what we have now. To me tuch isnt progressing and I’d send him. Roy looks better ….
Tim
We’d all like to see Erik Gustafsson in a Knights sweater. Two big hangups one we don’t want to give up this years first round pick in what they say is a very deep draft. Second if we can’t sign him for 3 years then we won’t make the trade we don’t do rentals. I’m looking at Pageau I think we might be in play for him. You all know how the Knights always go big game hunting and I don’t see it but if we got Chris Keiter I wouldn’t be shocked pleasantly surprised yes.
TJ
as long as you understand that Gus is a somewhat weak defenseman in his own end. Soft in coverage in front of his net. Remember, he is NOT used on the PK. that is a clear indication from a coach that he is not a good defender.
He is a good puck mover, and he had a good year with Kane last season, but this season the Hawks PP is the worst in the league, a huge falloff.
He is a sort of a smoother, lefthanded version of Colin Miller
knights fan in minny
reading lots of comments from hawks fans they cant wait to see gus out the door if that means anything anymore talk of DeAngelo of the rangers
David
Not a defenseman, but Kreider is the one I want, if he’s not just a rental. A 1st, Tuch (whom I like a lot, but going home to NY might help him), and whatever else the NYR want – for Kreider.
DOC Williams
I think the hawks fans are kind of reacting like many of us did about Eakin. Both had decent years the past two then fell off significantly this season. A change of scenery might do both some good! Still hoping for a 3rd line scoring winger and a better #2 goalie. Maybe there is a package being put together with Chicago to trade a goalie & Guff to us for Subban and ????
knights fan in minny
love the speculation feb 24 best day of the year
Hdbiker7851
Before everyone gets to excited about one change and another these things can be very disruptive to the team. Then we will be whining about them loosing. Be careful what you wish for