Vegas Golden Knights First Half Report Cards: Forwards

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MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 07: William Carrier #28 of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on before a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 7, 2017, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

I didn’ really know what to expect out of William Carrier. I knew he was an agitator and a young fourth line grinder, but some things have surprised me with his techniques. He serves an entirely different element than what Tomas Nosek, Pierre- Edouard Bellemare and even Oscar Lindberg bring.

To go along with his role a pest, he brings tons of speed and boy is he fast. He loves the quick pace of play and thrives under when it’s a physical battle. His linemates Bellemare and Nosek make his life a lot easier than it should be.

The LaSalle, Quebec native isn’t offensively gifted at all; he only has one goal and one assist on the season with 23 games played. But the Knights can afford to have a few players who aren’t offensively gifted. I will say he’s a nice little addition to the fourth line, and he draws penalties, but he also takes a lot of dumb ones.

All in all, I like Carrier. He fits the role of a fourth liner better than Lindberg does at the moment. Health forced him off the roster for a portion of the first half; however, if he cuts the penalties down, I don’t see him coming out of the lineup anytime soon.

Grade: C

Pierre Edouard Bellemare

LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 31: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare #41 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the game at T-Mobile Arena on December 31, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare exemplifies the role of a fourth line center in every way imaginable. Great locker room guy, leader, a reliable defensive forward and tough as nails. What more could you want from Bellemare?

He’s the pilot of the fourth line that consists of William Carrier and Tomas Nosek. When he’s in the lineup, the Knights are a much better team. It’s incredible how much offensive zone pressure this line inflicts. When he did miss time to see the birth of his child, the Knights were a hot mess even though they went 1-1-0 on that stretch.

The Le Blanc-Mesnil, France native registered four goals, two assists and six points in 39 games played. He doesn’t need to have an offensive role on the team as his job is to penalty kill, take key faceoffs and win one on one puck battles.

Some say Bellemare is one of the most valuable players moving forward. In a way, I somewhat agree with that statement. If Gallant ever takes him out of the lineup for whatever reason, the Knights aren’t nearly as good of a team. He deserves only one grade and one grade only.

Grade: A

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