Knights Make History

The long anticipated wait is virtually over and while many were turned in to watch the NHL Awards, some were more focused on the newest 31st NHL team and the Vegas Knights roster.

Player movement was kept “hush” and pre-move talks were made behind closed doors with everyone keeping “mum” on what the first name announced would be.

One might say that the best kept secret wasn’t really kept quite, given all the media hype of late and to no real surprise Penguins veteran netminder Marc-Andre Fleury was named as a potential starter.

Other additions to the list included winger David Perron and forward James Neal who dressed for the Predators for the past three seasons.

While many were focused on the players, the NHL indicated that they won’t change the name or logo of the recent addition Knights, despite being denied a trademark by the  US authorities.

As most can remember it was just a couple of short weeks after the name and logo was unveiled the US Patent and Trademark office made a ruling that the name was far too close to that of the College of Saint Rose Golden Knights in Albany New York.

Fast forward to the draft and the announcement of the team the NHL sent out a three-page document indicating bylaws to the expansion draft, but we are hearing that it was a rule that was put in place by Vegas Golden Knights GM George McPhee, who described it as a “massive redistribution of talent.”

The Knights new that they had to jump the “gun” and drastically needed to get in front of such a realistic possibility, thereby somehow soaking up the market and take charge of the overall process.

To the surprise of no one they were quick to get on the phones letting other GM’s they were open to “wheel and deal” should the possibility arise.

Both McPhee and Assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon worked hard to close any possible deals and one an agreement was set in place, they then and only then informed their trade partner on the condition that was connected to the agreement.

While the draft was on the mind of management it’s interesting to note that there were specific rules to follow listed below:

• Vegas will take one player – no more or no less from each existing team
• They must select at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies
• 20 of the 30 players must be under contract in the 2017-18 season

The cap hit of all players selected in the Expansion Draft must be between $43.8 million and $73 million.

Fleury drew the most attention after being selected from the Pen’s and while he played second fiddle to Matt Murray, he has managed to remain an intrical part when  called upon a starter.

Prior to the 2015-16 season was hammered by numerous injuries and went 35-17-6 with a .921 SV% and a 2.29 GAA, but regardless he is one of the game’s steadier goaltenders.

As for goal scoring it should be noted that Perron is entering his final year of his contract, but clearly can provide some form of stability while Vegas looks for that ever elusive unique identity in it’s first year.

Perron played in all 82 games and managed to grab 18 goals and 28 assists, finishing with 46 points, which was the fifth-most on the Blues.

Regardless of who was selected, for the players it’s great to be a part of history in the making and while many are not placing bets on Vegas winning the Cup early on – don’t bet against them!!

Here’s an overview of the entire roster, which is comprised of one player from each club’s unprotected expansion list.

Forwards

• Teemu Pulkkinen (selected from Arizona Coyotes)
• William Carrier (Buffalo Sabres)
• Cody Eakin (Dallas Stars)
• Tomas Nosek (Detroit Red Wings)
• Jonathan Marchessault (Florida Panthers)
• Reilly Smith (via trade with Florida Panthers)
• Connor Brickley (Carolina Hurricanes)
• Chris Thorburn (Winnipeg Jets)
• Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (Philadelphia Flyers)
• Nikita Gusev (via trade with Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Mikhail Grabovski (via trade with New York Islanders)
• James Neal (Nashville Predators)
• Brendan Leipsic (Toronto Maple Leafs)
• David Perron (St. Louis Blues)
• Oscar Lindberg (New York Rangers)
• Erik Haula (Minnesota Wild)
• Alex Tuch (via trade with Minnesota Wild)
• William Karlsson (Columbus Blue Jackets)
• David Clarkson (via trade with Columbus Blue Jackets)

Defensemen

• Luca Sbisa (Vancouver Canucks)
• Jon Merrill (New Jersey Devils)
• Brayden McNabb (Los Angeles Kings)
• Jason Garrison (Tampa Bay Lightning)
• Jake Bischoff (via trade with New York Islanders)
• Deryk Engelland (Calgary Flames)
• Colin Miller (Boston Bruins)
• Marc Methot (Ottawa Senators)
• David Schlemko (San Jose Sharks)
• Griffin Reinhart (Edmonton Oilers)
• Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens)
• Clayton Stoner (Anaheim Ducks)
• Shea Theodore (via trade with Anaheim Ducks)
• Trevor van Riemsdyk (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Nate Schmidt (Washington Capitals)

Goaltenders

• Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins)
• Calvin Pickard (Colorado Avalanche)
• Jean-Francois Berube (New York Islanders)  

Neal could surprise many and be the one that factor as one of Vegas’ early goal-scoring staples for the franchise, but that all depends if he’s with the team on opening day.

Neil’s contract will pay $5 million next season and he clearly has the makings of a prime trade candidate who could fetch “top dollar” for the Golden Knights allowing them to grab some solid young assets.

Last season Neil (29) managed 23 goals and 18 assists and managed six goals and three assists on the run to the Stanley Cup Final.

With a veteran foundation now in place, the Golden Knights will set their sights on tweaking their roster through free agency and this weekend’s amateur draft in advance of their highly anticipated debut.

Regardless now if the Wife wants to go to Vegas, there’s a reason!!!