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Vegas Golden Knights: Three big roster decisions still to iron out

By Andrew Steele-Davis

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Eyssimont #48 of the Los Angeles Kings and Jimmy Schuldt #4 of the Vegas Golden Knights race for the puck during the first period of the preseason game at STAPLES Center on September 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Michael Eyssimont #48 of the Los Angeles Kings and Jimmy Schuldt #4 of the Vegas Golden Knights race for the puck during the first period of the preseason game at STAPLES Center on September 19, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 15: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 15: Zach Whitecloud #2 of the Vegas Golden Knights skates during the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. The Blueline

This has been much discussed throughout Training Camp and we should be a lot clearer in the coming days as to which rookie has nailed down that final roster spot on the blueline for 2019-20.

It has been a fascinating battle and Dylan Coghlan appears to be leading the pack at the moment after emerging as a bona fide talent in the preseason. He brings plenty of offensive upside to the table, not to mention packing one hell of a thunderous slapshot.

It appears to be Coghlan’s job to lose at this stage but his work isn’t done yet with Nic Hague breathing right down his neck. Hague is more of a complete package at the moment given his imposing physical presence (6’6″ & 214 lbs), his outstanding reach, sick stickhandling skills and ability to jump up in the play.

Jimmy Schuldt, Zach Whitecloud and Jake Bischoff have all had their moments in the exhibition games they have played in so far, but it is fair to suggest that they are someway behind both Coghlan and Hague heading into the final stretch of the preseason.

However, all five will get a chance to slug it out tonight when they play against the Colorado Avalanche, and it could be their final chance to stake their respective claims given that the Golden Knights intend to use the final two preseason games as a dress rehearsal for the regular season.

Coghlan appears to be the frontrunner right now but we could be discussing a new leading contender come Thursday morning given how quickly things change in hockey.

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