Remember when I talked about the Vegas Golden Knights players who should stick around longer? These players added plenty of value for the Golden Knights, whether it was on the penalty kill or the power play. Well, it's time to meet the opposite.
We're talking about the players that haven't done much for Vegas this season. They haven't scored much and have drawn the collective ire of fans all around Las Vegas. These players grind everyone's gears like they took a leak in your coffee. Trust me, nobody likes these people.
Anyways, everyone is thinking of Adin Hill in this post. He's constantly hurt and isn't used to being a regular backup. Therefore, it stands with good reason that he's on Kelly McCrimmon's chopping block. That's not even mentioning his contract, which acts as the proverbial albatross for the Golden Knights.
So, how about this? Instead of naming the Calgary native on this list, let's look at three other names that won't cut it. It's easy to name the goaltender that could be usurped by Carter Hart. But is it as fun as when you go with three different names? I didn't think so.
1.) Jeremy Lauzon
The Golden Knights fanbase has grown tired of Lauzon for one thing and one thing alone. He's in the penalty box too often, as evidenced by his 30 penalty minutes this season. It doesn't matter if it's the occasional slashing penalty or the boarding call. He just takes too many penalties.
That doesn't mesh with the Golden Knights style, where they entered Thursday's slate of games with the fewest team penalty minutes in the NHL (229). Bruce Cassidy's known for drawing penalties on opponents rather than taking them. So, where does that leave Lauzon? Most likely, he's getting the door.
2.) Brandon Saad
In 29 games this season, Saad has one goal and three assists. That's not cutting the mustard if the Golden Knights want to win a Stanley Cup. They need more from their winger to bolster the depth scoring, which didn't show up in last season's playoffs.
I mean, we could try and get him a big net to shoot into. But the NHL has regulation rules in place that deters it from happening. So, how about letting him walk after this season? He has a no-trade clause that makes life tougher for Kelly McCrimmon.
3.) Reilly Smith
Smith is in the same situation as Saad. He's a grizzled veteran winger who's not scoring much (three goals and three assists this season). It's sad to see from an Original Misfit who's carried the load scoring-wise.
Still, the low production is why Cassidy healthy-scratched him and Saad earlier. Even if he's a viable special teams player, the Golden Knights aren't predominantly on special teams (even if Cole Reinhardt draws penalties or if Lauzon gets penalized). With the emergence of Braeden Bowman and Trevor Connelly waiting in the wings, the decision becomes much easier.