Jaycob Megna was brought up by the Vegas Golden Knights for the three-game road trip as insurance. When you don't have key players like Noah Hanifin, it helps to have a backup plan in case the Golden Knights go full-49ers and lose players to injuries.
But now, it seems his time has been short-lived. According to SinBin.vegas, Megna was reassigned to the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL.
VGK have reassigned Jaycob Megna to the AHL.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 29, 2025
He was brought on the trip as an extra defenseman in case of an injury. Could be good news for Noah Hanifin, but doesn't necessarily mean he'll be ready to go Friday.
Look at that last part for a second. That could mean Hanifin is back up and running by Friday, although it isn't guaranteed. The Golden Knights defenseman has only played one game this season, being hampered by an undisclosed injury. He was placed on injured reserve as a result, with his injury nagging him worse than he imagined.
Hanifin would be a welcome addition to a Golden Knights team reeling from injuries. Mark Stone (wrist injury) went to his LTIR home and Adin Hill was given the dreaded week-to-week designation. Yep, it's that time when the Golden Knights need the usual trips to the emergency room again.
What does the Vegas Golden Knights reassigning Jaycob Megna mean for the team (and Noah Hanifin)?
First, it means that Hanifin is inching closer to his return. It's up in the air on whether he returns on Friday. However, having a key defenseman return to the lineup makes you better overall.
The Boston native is great on both ends of the ice, providing a nice forechecking presence. He can also score goals when called upon, adding more offensive bite. Plus, you get some size in the lineup, which was lacking with him gone.
Speaking of size, the Silver Knights will get much bigger with Megna's return. With that, they get better defensively since Megna sticks to players like gum on a shoe. Henderson can solidify its strong start with stronger defensemen, keeping their goaltenders upright.
That's better news for players like Cameron Whitehead down the road, especially since they've been exposed to plenty of offense. Now, you have some bite in the lineup, having leverage on your opponets. With that comes less room to move and less space for solid scoring opportunities.
Golden Knights fans shouldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet regarding Hanifin. He might still need some seasoning before he's ready to go. However, it's promising when you see another defenseman reassigned to the AHL to make a spot ready.