The Vegas Golden Knights appear to be loading up their lineup on Trade Deadline day. First, they got Nic Dowd and Cole Smith to bolster the team's defensive depth. Considering the team's been hurting in the defense department, particularly with the forwards, that's a refreshing sign.
However, a packed City National Arena was also greeted with perhaps one of the biggest adds of all: Brett Howden. What's more, he was practicing in a regular jersey!
Brett Howden is the first player to step on the ice this morning, about 15 minutes before morning skate. Wearing a normal jersey.
— SinBin.vegas 🇺🇸🥇 (@SinBinVegas) March 6, 2026
Now, he skated as an extra on Friday morning, indicating that he might need some more seasoning. However, the former first-round pick's return adds to the team's overall profile. How, you ask?
For one, he's a terrific depth piece. Howden is incredible at scoring goals from his standing, scoring 23 goals and 17 assists last season. That was the first time he posted double-digit goals in his career, marking a significant improvement in his game. You can thank the fantastic handles for that one.
But Howden also thrives as a speedier skater, acting as a quality two-way forward. The former Ranger knows how to make the right defensive plays and continually improves his game. That's good news for a Golden Knights team looking to turn it around before the Stanley Cup playoffs start.
The Golden Knights must capitalize on its improved profile with some depth scoring added
The upcoming schedule will be an absolute gauntlet. You have a brutal two-game homestand looming large, consisting of the Minnesota Wild and the Edmonton Oilers. Then, you have games against the Dallas Stars (twice on the road!), the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Buffalo Sabres, and the Utah Mammoth.
Life only gets harder from here and Pacific Division rivals like the Oilers and the Anaheim Ducks are only getting better. Adding players like Connor Murphy and John Carlson adds to this issue, making matters much worse.
But never fear, dear reader! The Golden Knights have a plan! With Smith and Dowd joining the team and Howden practicing again, this should cushion the blow. Vegas doesn't have to rely on AHL players as much, bringing the best players onto the ice.
Who knows? There might be a blazing-hot run, akin to the 2023 Stanley Cup run. The Golden Knights were also down in the dumps before surprising the world. That could be the case here, especially with the Pacific Division being exceptionally weak this season. Kelly McCrimmon knows that, which is why the Golden Knights can't be denied.