Okay, so today isn’t exactly opening night, but for local hockey fans it certainly feels like it. At 10:30 AM, Vegas veterans will be taking the ice for a scrimmage to wet the beak of Golden Knights loyalists. Captain Mark Stone and his top line mates Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev will be participating, as well as most of VGK’s other stars. This will lead up to Vegas’ first preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings. While both are inconsequential, it’s the first chance to see the 2026-27 roster in action.
Maybe today’s “two-game” slate won’t draw everyone. However, there will be many passionate fans watching intently.
These three months without hockey have felt like three years. Today feels like Christmas Eve without the festive sweaters. While the rest of the country is binging college football, I’ll be glued to both the scrimmage and the game. Hockey always comes first. – Danny Cendejaz, VGK fan
The NHL will always have its diehard fans. You know, the ones that spend their entire summer complaining about the pace of baseball, while counting the days until training camp. Well, today is a day for those dedicated fanatics.
Tonight, the Golden Knights will dress a mix of veterans, young players, and others who have something to prove. Many players will be preparing themselves for the regular season by getting back into game form. Others will have their chance to show their true value to the Golden Knights’ front office, or even another NHL team. It’s the unproven players that local fans are excited to see.
I’m excited to see Connelly. Really, I’m excited to see how our young guys look. We haven’t had many over the years, and it would be nice for one of them to break out this season. Hoping it’s Connelly. -Brady Withey, VGK fan
While we’re unsure of who will be on the bench tonight in Ontario, it won’t matter for many fans. Today’s action is only for recreation. It’s the next three preseason games that should present more substance. Assuming, most of the opening day roster suits up for next Saturday’s preseason finale. At 6 PM tonight, it’s only about watching the boys in gold compete against a divisional rival.
There is plenty of time to stress out about the goalie rotation, or where Braeden Bowman lands in the lineup, or Noah Hanifin accepting a third-pair role. Save that for the loudmouths on the SinBin.vegas podcast.
HSK
Hanifin averages about 23 minutes a game with the Vgk.
he has an eight year contract at $7.35million AAV.
his entire career has been playing the left side on the first or second pair.
and now he is going to happily accept a demotion to the 3rd pair and play 16 minutes a game? Korczak-ville?
I see an unhappy camper on the horizon.
Pistol Pete
It will work if all three pairs move the puck and defend. I am sure Craig does not intend to demote Hanifin’s TOI to that of the typical third pair. Obviously if each pair has a puck mover you cannibalize time from the first pair and distribute it to the other two. It just may not work and Hanifin ends up back with Andersson and the third pair sees typical third pair minutes. The all pairs have a puck mover is just a theory not yet proven on the ice. Innovative thinking by Craig imo.
Pistol Pete
I am becoming completely intrigued by Juho Piiparinen. Just turned 18 an excellent skater with NHL ready size, the scouting reports have this right/handed D off the charts defensively. I want to say a Brayden McNabb in the making!
https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers/nhl-draft-2026-juho-piiparinen-scouting-report-unbelievable-maturity-to-his-game/736603/
Luca
Hanifin on the third pair? That’s a conversation for later. Tonight, I just want to see the boys in gold hit the ice and enjoy some hockey again.