The path is there for Braeden Bowman to become a full-time player this year.
The undrafted forward from Kitchener, Ontario, has turned into a success story out of the Vegas Golden Knights’ development system in a short amount of time.
After getting an extended taste of NHL life, Bowman wants to stay for more than just a cup of coffee. The 23-year-old has a chance of becoming an 84-game player.
“That’s my goal, to become a full-time player with the Knights,” Bowman said Tuesday at the team’s annual golf classic at TPC Summerlin. “I’m excited. The team’s looking really good again. Vegas always has a strong team, so I’m just trying to establish my identity on the team and we’ll see where it goes.”
Bowman made the most of his opportunity during his first NHL call-up in November. Captain Mark Stone’s broken finger that forced him to miss a month pushed Bowman into important duty.
Bowman did more than simply fill in for Stone. Bowman scored five goals and 11 points in his first 15 games, getting reps on the top power play unit and on the top line with Jack Eichel.
Eventually, Bowman hit the rookie wall. He finished with 26 points on the season with 15 points in his final 39 games.
“At the start, I was just kind of going and seeing what happens,” Bowman said. “The start, obviously, was pretty cool to get up in my first game and stuff like that. As it went on, I got a lot more comfortable at the NHL level and it just kind of blossomed from there.”
What needs to be ironed out is what kind of everyday player Bowman will become. He can serve as a stopgap if there’s an injury in the top six.
Outside of that, Bowman will need to carve out a middle-six role. He plays well along the walls and has a good sense for the puck.
Next is proving he can turn into that kind of player down the lineup while contributing offensively.
“I was able to get in the lineup as many times as possible and I thought I learned a lot from that, and hopefully I can take it and build on it into this year,” Bowman said.
Bowman did more than play well enough to fill in for Stone. It became increasingly difficult for him to come out of the lineup with the roster at full health. He played over veterans Brandon Saad and Reilly Smith with one or both being scratched throughout the year.
Bowman’s emergence was why the Knights didn’t bring back Smith or Saad this offseason.
His contract doesn’t hurt, either. Bowman is signed for the next two years at an $875,000 cap hit.
“He really proved that he belongs,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said on July 1. “He’ll be an everyday player with us.”
Bowman said he focused on the essentials — strength and speed — this offseason to prepare him for what will be an important training camp for him.
He’s already familiar with the coach. Ryan Craig coached Bowman throughout his first year in the AHL two years ago, then became a pivotal part of Henderson’s playoff run last season.
“He’s a great coach. A great person, too,” Bowman said of Craig. “You can talk to him away from the ice. Honest, fair. Everything you want in a coach, so I’m super excited.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
