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The mileage of Brayden McNabb continues to pay off

By Christopher Lyke

Apr 1, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Las Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) before a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Las Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) before a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the original Golden Knights still the roster, Brayden McNabb has thrived in the team’s defensive lines since he has been apart of the club. Among his greatest attributes will be his aggressive, physical style of play on the ice. While he will not give you a ton of scoring, the Saskatchewan native will definitely let you know he is on the ice. Over the last few seasons, McNabb has developed into one of the game’s most reliable and hard hitting defensemen.

This is a part of a series of profile features on the complete Golden Knights roster heading into the 2022-23 season.

The Brayden McNabb File
6’4 | 212 | Shoots: Left | Defenseman
Hometown: Davidson, Saskatchewan | DOB: 01/21/91
Draft Status: 66th overall | 3rd Round (2009) – Buffalo Sabres
How Acquired: Expansion Draft | Under Contract Through: 2024-25
’22-’23: $2.85M | ’23-’24: $2.85M | ’24-’25: $2.85M

The Expectations for Brayden McNabb in 2022-23

The most likely scenario for McNabb will be to maintain his spot on the second defensive line as he has been the last couple of years. And again, the constant with the Vegas defense is that McNabb will most likely be there to deliver and deny. If he can provide a total of 20 or more points over the course of the season, it will be what is considered a banner year.

The focus for McNabb and the Golden Knights will be the number of hits and blocks he can provide. in terms of career highs, last season’s total of 179 blocks is the peak. The last time he saw that total was in the inaugural season of the club during its run towards the Stanley Cup final. In that season, he had 176 total blocks. In reality, looking for anywhere around 125 to 145 blocks is sufficient enough.

On the hits side of things, in a full season with Vegas, 200-225 has been the norm. Last season, that total was down significantly to 154. Because Bruce Cassidy loves an aggressive style of hockey, the expectation is that we will see McNabb deliver the punishment a lot more than we have seen the last couple of seasons. It is not far fetched to assume that he will find a way to eclipse that 225 ceiling. In fact, 240 or 250 certainly is not out of the question. The low ceiling might be exactly at 190 or 200.

Bottom line, under Cassidy, we think McNabb will get his mojo back.

Brayden McNabb
Apr 1, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Las Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) before a game against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports /

Player Statistics

2011-12 | BUF | 25 GP | (1 G, 7 A) 8 pts, 15 PIM
2013-14 | BUF | 12 GP | (0 G, 0 A) 0 pts, 6 PIM
2014-15 | LAK | 71 GP | (2 G, 22 A) 24 pts, 52 PIM
2015-16 | LAK | 81 GP | (2 G, 12 A) 14 pts, 92 PIM
2016-17 | LAK | 49 GP | (2 G, 2 A) 4 pts, 54 PIM
2017-18 | VGK | 76 GP | (5 G, 10 A) 15 pts, 52 PIM
2018-19 | VGK | 81 GP | (4 G, 12 A) 16 pts, 52 PIM
2019-20 | VGK | 71 GP | (2 G, 7 A) 9 pts, 40 PIM
2020-21 | VGK | 41 GP | (2 G, 6 A) 8 pts, 16 PIM
2021-22 | VGK | 69 GP | (3 G, 15 A) 18 pts, 42 PIM

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