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Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Goaltenders

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 17: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) congratulates Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Malcolm Subban (30) after winning a regular season NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Las Vegas. The Vegas Golden Knights would defeat the Florida Panthers 4-2. (Photo by: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 17: Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) congratulates Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Malcolm Subban (30) after winning a regular season NHL game between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in Las Vegas. The Vegas Golden Knights would defeat the Florida Panthers 4-2. (Photo by: Marc Sanchez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Malcolm Subban

LAS VEGAS, NV- Malcolm Subban #30 of the Golden Knights against Toronto at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV- Malcolm Subban #30 of the Golden Knights against Toronto at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Out of all the moves McPhee made in the offseason, Malcolm Subban may look like the best one of them all. Days before the regular season started, the Vegas Golden Knights claimed goalie Malcolm Subban from the Boston Bruins. Potentially acquiring the goaltender of the future for this franchise for nothing is just another reason why George McPhee is going to win the GM of the year award.

Before this season, Subban’s only NHL experience was being pulled twice in two starts while giving up six goals in 61 minutes. Boy times have changed in a heartbeat. The script flipped as soon as Subban came to Vegas, perhaps a change of scenery was all he needed.

In 14 games played, Subban compiled an 11-2-0 record with a 2.38 GAA and a save percentage of .918%. No one thought Subban would have an NHL job this year before Vegas picked him up. He’s been incredibly productive in the starters role and as a backup.

Waiving Calvin Pickard was necessary to allow Subban to come in as the teams backup and that move has never looked better. There’s only one grade to give the Toronto, Ontario native and he rightfully deserves it.

Grade: A

Marc-Andre Fleury

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates on the ice after being named the first star of the game after the Golden Knights defeated the Washington Capitals 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 23: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates on the ice after being named the first star of the game after the Golden Knights defeated the Washington Capitals 3-0 at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Marc-Andre Fleury missed a ton of time at the beginning of the season due to a concussion, but since then, he’s come back with a vengeance. The undisputed number one has a firm grasp on the starters position despite the success from Subban. He’s showing why he’s still one of the best goaltenders in the league and he loves playing for this team.

The Flower won the NHL’s second star of the week ending on October 9th, and he’s been on a fantastic run since. Fleury is 9-2-1 with a 1.73 GAA, owns a save percentage of .945% and two shutouts. If he didn’t get injured, he could’ve been going for his first Vezina trophy of his career.

The Sorel, Quebec native has stolen quite a few games for the Golden Knights including the first two games of the regular season against the Stars and Coyotes and most recently versus the Rangers Sunday night. The Knights need him to be sharp once again when it comes time for their push to the playoffs.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights: Gerard Gallant Named Pacific Division Head Coach At All-Star Game

With a ton of experience in the postseason, Fleury would give the team a chance to win every night. He has three Stanley Cups to his name, and he wants to lead this team to their first title in franchise history. So far, so good for the 33-year old in the first half.

Grade: A+

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