(Photo by Brandon Andreasen)
Golden Knights training camp begins today representing the return of the players and finally the fans. The start of a normally scheduled camp has the Golden Knights brass ecstatic as well. The Golden Knights’ GM addressed the media yesterday to give his expectations on training camp and making another chase for the Stanley Cup.
Really excited about 82 games. Really excited about playing 31 other teams. Last year was a challenge for a lot of people and for a lot of different reasons. We’re really optimistic that this will feel a lot more like a normal NHL season. We’re pleased with our offseason, pleased with the makeup of our team as we head into the season. -Kelly McCrimmon, Vegas GM
While the GM was satisfied with his offseason changes he’s also eager to learn more about what’s in the cupboard. Entering their fifth NHL season, Vegas’ front office would like to add contributions from some of their more experienced prospects.
I always get excited about the evolution of young players. I’m excited to see Keegan Kolesar, Dylan Coghlan, Nic Hague, Nic Roy, that group of young players. I’m excited to see their progression because that’s a big part of how your team improves. Zach Whitecloud, still a young player. I’m excited to see those players. -McCrimmon
The list of players the Golden Knights GM rattled off are under contract for one more season before entering restricted free agency. Of course, it’s an established roster but the Golden Knights at some point will need impact from the younger generation. McCrimmon also mentioned centers Nolan Patrick and Brett Howden but there are different expectations considering both are new to the organization.
Coach Pete DeBoer will have the luxury of roughly three weeks and seven preseason games to examine his younger players. DeBoer will need some to quickly become everyday NHL players. There may not be many openings in Vegas’ opening day roster but there could be bottom-six minutes up for grabs.
This year has seven preseason games, last year did not. I think there’s real value in that. Not only for your veteran players but it’s a great opportunity for young guys… I believe our forwards as a group are better than they’ve been at any point in our existence. I think we made our team better at the forward position. -McCrimmon
McCrimmon stated, and few would disagree, Vegas has a roster that only a handful of teams can match. The general manager never mentioned direct expectations but the goal has to be the same under The Creator’s ownership.
With the franchise’s best-ever forward unit, star-studded defense, and superb goaltending, it has to be a Cup or Bust type mentality behind closed doors. Expect another fun ride.
Richard Santomauro
I disagree completely. The team is NOT better statistically on paper. The off season moves come with a ton of risk and possible upside.
It remains to be seen how these off season moves will be graded.
One could argue that the top 6 is worse off now with Tuch on IR.
The jury is out and I won’t weigh in on a grade until mid January.
DugMac
Not sure what statistics to which you are referring but looking at adds vs deletes, other than goaltending, team is similar and I think better.
Tuch was not in top 6, so you need to explain how him being on IR makes the top 6 worse.
THE hockey GOD
Nice pre season positive fluff, optimistic article.
I am sure every team at this time of year thinks that they have some chance of winning the SC. There are even murmurs of such out of the lowly Red Wing and Kings camps.
on further review
Forget the fluff. Patrick is better than Glass, but is not the same aggressive player he was before his concussion problems that cost him an entire season. He was brutally bad last season, but could rebound this year, MAYBE.
Howden is basically a younger version of Nosek.
Dadanov is a washed up winger, with a high cap hit, who looked like complete shit last season in Ott, with ZERO PP goals.
and Brossoit is a decent backup goalie, but he is not Fleury.
THE hockey GOD
i would like to discount entire last year due to stupid covid
— just calling the article what it is , a fluff piece.
It’s a new year, fresh start.
I hope Howden is not injury prone like Nosek was/is.
Richard Santomauro
Patrick better than Glass?
Well, if tonight is any indication I would take Glass back in a heart beat over Patrick. Patrick looked absolutely dumbfounded out there tonight. He was tentative most of the night and he really basically wasn’t even good enough to be on a 4th line.
on further review
I’m wondering who is going to be the locker room pranksters now that they traded away 3 of their most prankster-ish guys.
Tim
Lets start with a positive we’ve got a good team any additions that work out will make us an even better team. Disregard the rookie tournament we had one practice the other teams had a week of practice. From what I read Ivan Morazov may be coming over sooner then later, Everything I’ve heard is he’s the real deal. We may not have the greatest farm system but from where we draft each year you do the best you can. Along with Morazov I can see Krebs and Brisson becoming good offensive players. I also thing in Thompson in net and in our defensive prospects I see some good talent. We may never win a cup but we’ve be a competitive team for years to come. Really that’s all I ask for is a team you can be proud of and enjoy watching the games. Management have did more good things then bad even though the way they have managed situations has a lot to be desired. Gallant, Fleury, Perron, Tatar, Suzuki, to name a few.
THE hockey GOD
LA Kings did not have a development camp
Richard Santomauro
Just to stay positive. The ONLY newbie that looked good in preseason game 1 versus the Sharks was Cotter. The rest of them were pretty much a hot mess and boring as hell.
Blitz
I want to see where Sven Bärtschi ends up in this mess. He has 200+ nhl games to his credit. I watched this kid as a winterhawk, he was awesome. A 90 point scorer. Of course never a super star at the NHL level, but ranged between 15-18 goals a season and about the same with assists. Good on the PP. I guess he has a similar story to Patrick in that he had concussion problems and took a long time to recover. He finally recovered and was back on his game again, but VAN never really allowed him back in the line up, even when they needed him, keeping him down in the AHL or a healthy scratch.
So it will be interesting to see if he can regain an NHL role or get stuck with HSK. We’ll see how he shows at camp I guess.
on further review
Baertschi will most likely be the vet replacement for Sikura in Henderson.