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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: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with Cody Glass #9 after glass assisted Pacioretty on his third goal of the game against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Coyotes 6-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 15: Max Pacioretty #67 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates with Cody Glass #9 after glass assisted Pacioretty on his third goal of the game against the Arizona Coyotes in the second period of their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Coyotes 6-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Who will fill the third line hole?

Again, this has been a really entertaining battle to watch play out over the last couple of weeks and it could reach its peak tonight when the Colorado Avalanche come to town (7:00 p.m. PT).

Brandon Pirri looked to be the favorite to complete the makeup of the third line alongside Cody Eakin and Alex Tuch heading into Training Camp, and he hasn’t done anything in the preseason to change that.

In-fact, he’s been as good as you could have hoped with a couple of goals and some eye-catching plays, while bringing a high compete level to the table.

Pirri has had some competition with Valentin Zykov and Tomas Nosek both stepping up to the plate in exhibition games, with the former reporting to Camp leaner, meaner and with a brand new attitude.

All of the hard work in Vegas throughout the off-season has paid off with Zykov appearing almost reborn as a player, and he has recorded two goals and an assist for three points in the exhibition games he’s played in so far.

SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Brandon Pirri #73 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 23: Brandon Pirri #73 of the Vegas Golden Knights shoots the puck during the second period against the San Jose Sharks in Game Seven of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 23, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /

However, all of that hard work put in by Pirri, Zykov and Nosek may be for nothing with young rookie phenom Cody Glass having exploded onto the scene and proving that he’s tailor made for the NHL.

Glass has been sensational for the Golden Knights throughout Training Camp and the preseason, tallying three assists and showcasing his elite playmaking ability.

Able to read the open ice, create a play out of nothing and able to match the speed, physicality and intensity of the NHL, Glass has wowed fans, his teammates, the coaching staff and the front office and there is no doubt that he’s primed and ready to take the NHL by storm.

Next. Biggest observations from preseason so far. dark

Plus, he has proven he is comfortable playing on the wing and that could be the deciding factor in the franchise deciding to name him on the opening night roster.

We are huge fans of Glass so call us biased but it appears a lock that he should be on this team to start 2019-20, but the final three preseason games could have a vital role in making that concrete.

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