For some, Colton Sissons was seen as a precursor move for the Vegas Golden Knights to get Mitch Marner. The Nashville Predators retained 50% of his salary in a Nicolas Hague trade, leaving the door open enough to get the deal done.
One would normally think a player of his caliber would merely be a warm body to fill a role on the team. After all, he does carry a salary of $1,428,572 going into the new season. However, some funny things happened.
First, Nicolas Roy was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs in that Mitch Marner trade. That opened up a spot on the fourth line for a defensive-minded center. Roy was good, no doubt! It's just he wasn't a bona fide forward as everyone thought.
Roy never felt comfortable playing on the wing. He needed to initiate the play and lead. That void was left open for a fourth line center who could go beyond these things.
Voila! We have a Colton Sissons sighting! The perfect man for the job!
Not many people know what the center can do as a hockey player. But let's change that narrative and see what fans are getting with the former Predator.
What the Vegas Golden Knights are getting with Colton Sissons
Do you like defense? Are you a fan of a smooth forecheck mixed with some gritty hitting and faceoff-winning acumen? Have no fear because Colton Sissons is here.
Sissons has a career faceoff-win percentage of 53.7%. Last season, the Golden Knights had a team faceoff-win percentage of 50.4%. That's not bad, leaving you in the 15th spot. However, you'd like to do better, especially in late games.
If you need someone to win a faceoff and clear the puck, you can't rely on Eichel (I know, that sounds ironic) in this specific scenario. He has a career faceoff-win percentage of 44.8%, meaning the other team gets the win and possession.
That's where the former Predators star comes in. He can get you that possession so you can eat the clock. Not only that, but you can wear your opponent down as they try to score on the man advantage. Winner winner chicken dinner!
How Sissons will project heading into the 2025-26 season
Expect more faceoffs to be won. Bruce Cassidy will likely insert him into the final moments to drain as much clock as possible and secure two points.
But also expect him to play an all-out defensive style. Last season, he had 100 hits, marking a fourth-straight season of 100 or more. He also plays aggressively, making him a perfect pairing with a player like Keegan Kolesar.
That's why you trade a player like Nicolas Hague, you know. You want an all-around two-way style that helps Adin Hill succeed. That's why Marner and Sissons are on board.
Overall, fans can expect... another two-way player on the Golden Knights. It's fitting for Sissons, considering how Cassidy is big on having that style of play. The one difference is he won't score as much as players like Reilly Smith or Brandon Saad. However, that won't be a major concern for the former Nashville Predators player heading into the new season.