3. Nicolas Roy
I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I would be writing about Nicolas Roy being a key piece on this roster when he was acquired by the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Erik Haula trade back in the off-season.
However, this is hockey and this is the NHL and stranger things have happened, but Roy deserves credit for how he has taken advantage of his opportunity to impress in the NHL.
Used as a bottom six forward for much of the year, Roy has really elevated his game in his rookie year and has been rewarded by being given a much bigger role by Head Coach Peter DeBoer.
And that is why we have included Roy on this list.
Because, placed on a second line with Max Pacioretty and William Karlsson, Roy has begun to show flashes of his tantalizing upside when it comes to his play in the offensive zone.
In his last two outings the 23-year-old has proven that he can really help with the possession game and his sturdy frame coupled with his high hockey IQ ensures that the forward can hang onto the puck.
Not only can Roy keep hold of the puck but he can also make things happen, as seen on Tuesday when the rookie won the puck back in his own zone, before feeding a perfect feed to Karlsson who one-timed a shot past Mackenzie Blackwood in the New Jersey goal.
Blessed with silky skating ability and some skilful hands, Roy is starting to scratch the surface of his potential and he has the chance to really show the NHL what he’s all about while playing in a bigger role with Mark Stone out of the lineup.
After all, injuries result in opportunity for others and Nicolas Roy can now audition for a bigger role with the Golden Knights next year by helping to fill the void left by Stone this season.