Vegas Golden Knights: Three things to look out for in preseason opener

2. What stars will be on show?

The early part of the preseason slate, which features seven games, will all be about the Vegas Golden Knights running the rule over their prospects and high-end talent. There are 53 players in Training Camp currently and that will have to be whittled down, so expect a young-looking team to take to the ice this afternoon.

That is par for the course in preseason and many of the Golden Knights’ big hitters will likely be watching their young peers from the press box rather than lacing up their skates. There should be a couple of familiar faces on show, with the likes of Brandon Pirri in particular needed a strong preseason in order to cement that spot on the third line.

Valentin Zykov could also feature as might Nicholas Roy, the powerhouse center acquired in the trade that sent Erik Haula to the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the summer. Roy will be battling it out for the fourth line pivot role with Tomas Nosek, so the early preseason games will be imperative for Roy to set the tone from the get-go.

It has, however, been confirmed that Malcolm Subban will start between the pipes tonight and the goalie will be looking to build off a strong Training Camp and put on a strong showing behind what will be a young blueline. He could be busy this afternoon, but that is a good thing in preseason when it comes to shaking off the rust and getting back in the groove.

Apart from that, don’t expect too many of the Golden Knights’ top dogs to feature until a bit later on in the preseason, with the early exhibition games all about easing back into things and giving rookies a chance to show the coaching staff what they are capable of on the big stage.

3. Zach Whitecloud’s rise

As already mentioned, there is an almighty battle raging on for the right to win the final opening night roster spot on the blueline, and it will be a fascinating battle to keep an eye on throughout the course of the preseason.

Jimmy Schuldt lit up collegiate hockey and appears to be the frontrunner and Nic Hague is also a serious contender with his imposing size, but there could be an underdog in the running in the ilk of Zach Whitecloud, who has enjoyed one hell of a summer.

After tearing it up in his first season in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves in 2018-19, leading all AHL defensemen in points with 15 in the postseason, Whitecloud has reported to both Development and Rookie camp with a burning desire to work hard and let his play on the ice do the talking.

He’s brought that same attitude to Training Camp, impressing with his overall play and making significant efforts to polish his two-way game. He hasn’t looked out of place one bit and he will get a chance to impress once again today.

There is no doubt that the preseason opener against the Arizona Coyotes will be the biggest game of Whitecloud’s young career so far, and a strong showing today could do his case to win an opening night roster spot the world of good.

Whoever plays tonight and whatever happens, we are just thankful to have hockey back and it will be a lot of fun to see the Vegas Golden Knights back on the ice as they once again enter 2019-20 with serious aspirations of contending for the Stanley Cup.

Let the fun and games begin!