Vegas Golden Knights Inaugural Season Final Grades: Alex Tuch

Alex Tuch provided size, energy, and big plays during the Vegas Golden Knights inaugural campaign.

Fans, media and everyone else in between set expectations low for the Vegas Golden Knights. In 2017-18. However, the team and coaching staff had different ideas and turned the tables on the entire NHL. The Golden Knights went out and proved everyone wrong in their very first campaign.

Just about every single player on the Golden Knights roster went above and beyond expectations. Every player bought into Gerard Gallant’s fast transition style of play, and it worked to near perfection. On VegasHockeyKnight.com, we will go over each player with an in-depth analysis and give them a grade based upon their performance during the Golden Knights inaugural season.

Today we talk about a player that fans are crazy over in Alex Tuch. The rookie made a surprisingly significant impact for this team entering year one. Let’s take a more in-depth look at the year the  Syracuse, New York native had in a Golden Knights uniform.

Let’s take a trip back to the expansion draft in June of 2017. The Vegas Golden Knights acquired both Tuch and Erik Haula from the Minnesota Wild just for not taking Mathew Dumba. The general manager of the year George McPhee struck gold again when he took the 22-year old in the expansion draft.

Tuch did everything right in his rookie campaign with the Golden Knights. He worked his way from development camp in June of 2017 all the way to the Stanley Cup Final in June of 2018. The 6’4 222 be learned so much from his teammates and most importantly Gerard Gallant.

Gallant had no problem playing Tuch on a third line role or in his top-six. Tuch didn’t always score or get on the scoresheet, but always seemed to make an impact. Whether it was a key scoring chance that energized his teammates or a big hit, Tuch made his ice time count.

In 78 games played, Tuch notched 15 goals, 22 assists, and 37 points during 2017-18. I didn’t know what to expect out of Tuch despite not making the team right out of camp. His time with the Chicago Wolves was shortlived thankfully because he made a huge first impression with the big club.

Tuch even did a solid job during his first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In 20 games played, Tuch scored six goals, four assists, and 10 points. Tuch had a flair for the dramatics as two of his six goals were game-winners.

Out of all my expectations, I did not see Tuch being a key contributor this quick. Yes, I did see Tuch coming up with the Golden Knights, but I thought it would be in the middle of the season. The script flipped and I was blown away right from the start.

Grade: B+

Tuch’s production next year will only increase as he continues to improve all facets of his game. The Vegas Golden Knights are very lucky to have a player like Tuch in their system. He has all the makings of a future captain for this franchise for years to come.