Jaycob Megna gets a promotion as the Golden Knights await news about Brayden McNabb

The Vegas Golden Knights made a big—literally—callup on New Year's Day. They recalled Jaycob Megna from the Henderson Silver Knights, adding more depth to the defenseman position. When I say big, the 33-year-old stands at 6'6", adding more size to Vegas's blue line.

Megna has four goals and 23 assists in his seven-year career (193 games). That included a stellar 2022-23 campaign with the San Jose Sharks and the Seattle Kraken, where he had a goal and 11 assists. He has made a living as a defensive stalwart, notching 313 blocked shots and 258 hits. That checks out to an 82-game average of 133 blocked shots and 110 hits.

Megna hasn't stepped on the ice for the Golden Knights yet this season. However, he made his mark with the Henderson Silver Knights this season, scoring two goals and four assists in 23 games. He's projected to score six goals and 12 assists in 67 games for Henderson, marking a good campaign with the AHL club.

What does Jaycob Megna being recalled by the Vegas Golden Knights mean for Brayden McNabb?

Whenever the Golden Knights (or any NHL team, for that matter) call up a player from the Silver Knights, it usually means that someone could be hurt for the long term. Of course, it's also meant as a precautionary move in case said player is hurt. That's why the Golden Knights have carried an extra defenseman in past iterations. That way, they can prepare for the upcoming trip in case someone can't make it.

That certain someone is Brayden McNabb, who suffered a brutal hit from Michael Bunting in Wednesday's loss to the Nashville Predators. He left the game with an upper-body injury and his status remains unknown for the upcoming three-game road trip.

Losing McNabb would be a significant loss for the Golden Knights, should he miss the trip. He's a phenomenal stay-at-home blue liner, notching 98 blocked shots and 63 hits this season. When you lose two Misfits in a span of a month, that doesn't bode well. That's especially true when those two Misfits have been one of the most productive pairs in the NHL this season.

Will the 34-year-old be around for the trip, or will he be another casualty in the Golden Knights' long list of injuries? Stay tuned. But one thing's certain. Vegas is staring down the barrel of a historically bad month and they don't have key reinforcements to cushion the wounds.

So, what can Megna offer in these trying times? No, there isn't an egg that he can give the Golden Knights. However, he offers size and range, making him a tough stay-at-home defenseman. He provides gritty defense and plays a physical style, making life tough for opposing attackers.

Who knows? That could help the Golden Knights on the lower pairs and provide them with more oomph. Nicolas Hague played a similar role before being traded to the Nashville Predators, carrying the lower pairs with ease. That could be what Megna will give the Golden Knights in his tenure, adding a dash of hope for Las Vegas.