Vegas Golden Knights: One Too Many Defensemen

The Vegas Golden Knights currently carry ten defensemen on their roster. With most teams only taking seven or eight on their roster, why would the Knights carry so many? Today, let’s break down the whole defense core on the Golden Knights roster.

What is the deal with the Golden Knights Roster?

When it comes to the Vegas Golden Knights roster, it’s complicated. The Injured Reserve list can be confusing if you don’t understand how it works. An example would be their forward core. The Knights are carrying 16 forwards, but two of them are on LTIR. That means they really have only 14 players that they can dress. 12 forwards will play, and two will sit.

The defense core, on the other hand, isn’t in that same situation, so I can’t cut them any slack. Only one player is currently on Injured Reserve. That means they have nine players dressed. With just six spots on defense, what are the other three suppose to do? Sit in the press box.

Three Extras in the Press Box?

Let’s take a look at the Golden Knights last game vs. the Blackhawks.

Their defense that night consisted of Brayden McNabb, Derek Engelland, Colin Miller, Luca Sbisa, Brad Hunt, and Nate Schmidt. The three that sat in the press box: Jason Garrison, Jon Merrill, and Griffin Reinhart.

I’m fine with the line-up, but why do they feel the need to have three extras? Having one extra defenseman is good, two is pushing it a bit but OK, but three extras? Here is how the defense should look in my opinion:

Garrison – Sbisa

McNabb – Engelland

Schmidt – Hunt

Extra: Miller

That means the Knights should do something with Merrill and Reinhart. Keep Merrill and send him down to the AHL. I see some potential in him, and he will be a good asset down the road. Reinhart on the other hand, he needs to go. I don’t see a fit for him in the lineup, but he has some value still which means the Knights could get something for him. I don’t see them getting much but maybe a draft pick or two.

Future of the Defense

That line-up in the last paragraph was how I thought it should’ve looked that night. What about the future of the Golden Knights defense core? Well, it’s younger and faster, which is what this league is becoming.

Garrison – Hunt

McNabb – Theadore

Schmidt –  Miller

Extra: Sbisa, Merrill

Stoner, Reinhart, Engelland are all gone. Stoner is 32, doesn’t really put up many numbers. There also isn’t much of a fit for him with all the young talent. I already talked about the Reinhart situation. He is a reliable defenseman, but there isn’t room for him here. Engelland is already 35. Again, with all the young talent, there isn’t room for him.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights Fourth Line Shines VS Blackhawks.

The Vegas Golden Knights have veterans like Garrison and Sbisa. They don’ t need to keep Engelland, and Stoner around when they have players like Theodore in the AHL. The future is bright for the Knights. It’s time to clean out the logjam on defense and bring in more assets.