Vegas Golden Knights: Theodore could make preseason debut against Avs
There could be a familiar face on the ice when the Vegas Golden Knights take on the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, with Shea Theodore getting ready to make his preseason debut.
Theodore hasn’t featured in any of the four exhibition games the Vegas Golden Knights have played so far, in which they have posted a perfect 4-0-0 record and outscored opponents 17-5.
It has been an emotional summer for Theodore who went from the high of securing a Silver Medal at the IIHF World Championships with Team Canada, to finding out he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer after failing a drug test at the tournament.
After undergoing successful surgery, Theodore is now fully recovered and you can read his full inspirational story here.
However, the defenseman tweaked something minor during the first day of off-ice physical testing on the opening day of Training Camp, a small ailment that restricted the 24-year-old from doing very little in the opening week or so of Training Camp.
He did return to practice last Friday and he will get some action in the preseason in order to blow off the cobwebs and get back into the swing of things prior to the regular season getting underway on Oct, 2.
It could come on Wednesday with the Golden Knights hosting the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena (7:00 p.m. PT), while they do have two exhibition games left after that so the coaching staff could opt to wait until Friday when the LA Kings come to town.
But, with Head Coach Gerard Gallant planning on using the final two preseason games as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, it would be wise to ease Theodore back into the fold against the Avs to let him find his legs, before unleashing him fully against the Kings and the San Jose Sharks.
Theodore was skating with the group that will take on the Avalanche on Wednesday, so that would suggest that the blueliner will finally get to hit a puck in competitive anger and get back to business after a long few weeks away from action.
And, speaking to nhl.com/goldenknights, Theodore revealed that he is itching to get back down to business while shedding light on what the ambition for 2019-20 is within the locker room.
"“It is towards the end of preseason here and it is good to get back into the flow of things and hopefully get into a couple of games. I want to go deep (in the postseason), we’ve got the roster and that depth to go on a long run and we’re gearing up for it. We feel good as a group and it is going to be a fun time.”"
Theodore broke out in explosive fashion last year after posting 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points in 79 games, including nine power play points and 91 blocked shots, 27 hits and 82 takeaways.
He’s a two-way defenseman who can jump up and join the rush, while being a potent weapon from the point on the power play and he’s also hugely responsible within his own zone.
Next. It is only preseason but be encouraged. dark
Theodore’s game is perfectly suited to the modern day NHL and, at just 24-years-old, he’s only going to get better and his ceiling appears sky-high. There is no doubt that he is on his way to morphing into an elite NHL blueliner and he’s under contract through 2024-25.
It will be brilliant to see Theodore back on the ice in a Vegas Golden Knights jersey if he does indeed play on Wednesday night, and it will be an opportunity for him to shake off the rust ahead of what will be a big year for both player and franchise.