We’re halfway there. Kudos if you started jamming to Bon Jovi.
The Vegas Golden Knights are two preseason games away from playing for real, starting Thursday in their home debut against the Utah Mammoth at T-Mobile Arena.
The first two games were heavy on an American Hockey League presence. Most of those players have already reported to the Henderson Silver Knights. The next round of cuts came Wednesday, trimming the training camp roster to 28 players.
These last two games are the designed dress rehearsals that Knights coach Ryan Craig was hoping for. There are going to be opportunities for those on the bubble to make one last impact.
The Knights need to trim to 23 players before they open the season on Tuesday at home against the Chicago Blackhawks. They’re down to 16 forwards, 10 defensemen and two goaltenders.
Four forwards are left competing for at least one roster spot. One of Jonas Røndbjerg, Raphael Lavoie, Tanner Laczynski and Alexander Holtz will be the 13th forward. If the Knights carry an extra spot, two of these will make the cut.
“We’ll see what the opportunity presents,” Craig said. “I expect them to come every day, ready to play, ready to compete with whatever opportunity they get. It’s just going to be a matter of how everything pieces together.”
Trevor Connelly’s performance in the final two games could also be a factor. Connelly is expected to skate for the first time with Tomas Hertl and Victor Olofsson on Thursday.
One good performance could seal his spot on the opening day roster. Struggles could force Craig and general manager Kelly McCrimmon to pivot. Connelly is getting every chance to make this roster.
There is some intrigue on the back end, too. The Knights have their six defensemen that they’ll take into opening night, barring injury. How many total do they carry on the roster?
First-round pick Juho Piiparinen is still on the roster but will soon either go back to Liiga in Finland, or report to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.
The London Knights selected Piiparinen in the second round of the league’s import draft over the summer.
That leaves nine defensemen. Antti Tuomisto will likely be next to report to Henderson. That leaves Dylan Coghlan and newcomer Ville Heinola as the seventh, and potentially eighth, defensemen.
Heinola, 25, was the 20th pick in the 2019 NHL Draft from the Winnipeg Jets. He’s appeared in 58 career games. He and Coghlan skated together the first two games.
There have been times Heinola has stood out more than Coghlan. Heinola has read plays well at both ends and hasn’t tried forcing plays offensively, whereas Coghlan has struggled at certain times.
It’s not enough to worry if Coghlan should make the roster as the seventh defenseman. His body of work in the playoffs did more than enough to eliminate those concerns.
“The habits from summertime may be still lurking (for the team),” Coghlan said. “For me, just trying to focus on the D zone and make sure I do everything I can there.”
Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.
