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Vegas Golden Knights Forward Vadim Shipachyov Returns

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: Vadim Shipachyov #87 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots against Troy Grosenick #1 of the San Jose Sharks in the second period of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: Vadim Shipachyov #87 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots against Troy Grosenick #1 of the San Jose Sharks in the second period of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 1, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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The Vegas Golden Knights are inserting a key forward to their lineup.

It’s been a pretty solid week for the Vegas Golden Knights. An expansion team that goes 3-1 in their first week of existence is indeed a good start. However, the NHL’s newest franchise needs to improve in a ton of areas to sustain their recent success.

One of those areas that the Golden Knights need to improve on is the power play. Vegas has the 27th ranked power play heading into Saturday’s action, a number that needs to increase. So how could Head Coach Gerard Gallant improve the power play with such a weak offensive cast of players?

On Saturday, the Vegas Golden Knights announced they recalled Vadim Shipachyov from the AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves. Unfortunately, the corresponding move that allowed Shipachyov back in Vegas is because Erik Haula got placed on the injured reserve. Haula was in a fight with Tomas Tatar in Friday’s action so he must be somewhat banged up or he may have a hand issue.

Haula is a tough loss to an already weak offensive lineup, but the addition of one of your most significant acquisitions is a huge boost. Shipachyov would absolutely help the Golden Knights powerplay unit in a hurry. He’s a fantastic playmaker with great hands and loves quarterbacking the power play.

As regarding even strength play, Shipachyov practiced with young forwards Brendan Leipsic and Tomas Nosek on a line. That’s probably the smart move if you’re Gerard Gallant, it’s better off easing Shipachyov back in with low ice time to start. After a few games, we should see Shipachyov ramped up and back on one of the top six forward lines.

In 2016-17, Shipachyov scored a career-high 76 points in 50 games played for St. Petersburg in the KHL  The 30-year-old rookie put together quite a career in the KHL for nine years. If Shipachyov can be anything remotely close to what he was in the KHL for the Golden Knights, General Manager George McPhee would look like a million bucks.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Suffer First Loss in Franchise History.

All in all, the Golden Knights need to get Shipachyov in the lineup as soon as possible. This forward group needs a jolt of energy and Shipachyov could provide that. I would expect the Russian born prospect in the lineup versus the Boston Bruins on Sunday evening. Help is on the way Golden Knights fans. Now, where’s Shea Theodore at?

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