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Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Defensemen

By Richard Cardinale

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 23: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights warms up prior to the game against the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on December 23, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Nate Schmidt

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 31: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights smiles as he warms up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 31: Nate Schmidt #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights smiles as he warms up before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights won 6-3. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Another one of McPhee’s steals at the expansion draft that left many Capitals fans scratching their heads. Nate Schmidt has found a home playing for the Vegas Golden Knights and no longer has to worry about being underutilized. Gallant trusted Schmidt from the opening puck drop and has not gone away from him since and with good reason.

Schmidt is a fan favorite in the dressing room and loves to get his teammates fired up for a game. As for his offensive stats, he’s registered two goals, 17 assists, 19 points and a +13 rating. But the number that jumps out at me the most is his ATOI of 22:30. That number went up seven minutes from last years when he was with Washington.

The Schmidt and McNabb pairing is probably the best overall pairing on the team as they’re a combined +29 when they’re on the ice. Not to mention learning from a player like McNabb could be extremely beneficial for Schmidt. The 26-year-old has grown leaps and bounds from the beginning of the season thanks to McNabb and Gallant’s coaching.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Goaltenders

All in all, the St. Cloud, Minnesota native is having the best season of his career. There’s no reason to believe he will slow down anytime soon as he’s been the best overall defenseman this year for the Vegas Golden Knights. Schmidt earns the best grade out of any defenseman on the roster.

Grade: A-

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