The Henderson Silver Knights aren't doing so hot right now. Currently, they're dead last in the Pacific Division with eight points (4-10-0). That's worse than the San Diego Gulls. The Gulls! Imagine how painful it must feel to be below the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate.
Still, that doesn't stop Kelly McCrimmon from calling players up to the Vegas Golden Knights. He's looking for players to fill the gaps when superstars like Alex Pietrangelo and Mark Stone are injured. Recently, players like Cal Burke and Robert Hagg got the call, filling in and providing needed depth.
Calen Addison hopes to be one of those callups in the future. The defenseman has one goal and eight assists with the Silver Knights this season. He's averaging a point per game in 2024-25, making him one of the more valuable pieces for the AHL team.
That could eventually translate to ice time for the Golden Knights. After all, from late November to January or February, the injuries ramp up. You need all hands on deck to put together a formidable team so you don't miss the Stanley Cup playoffs.
What can fans expect if Addison does get the callup? What skills will he bring to the table to make the Golden Knights better? It's time to meet another Silver Knights star and see if he'll be another addition from Kelly McCrimmon's list.
What makes Calen Addison special?
Vegas Golden Knights fans know what Shea Theodore does for the team. The recently extended defenseman might not be the most astute on the back end. However, he's an excellent running mate on the attack, setting up superstar goal scorers for amazing scoring opportunities.
That's what Addison would bring to the table. He's good on the power play, seeing how his opponents set up and acting accordingly. The defenseman can immediately jump into the play and positively impact the game as well. It's no wonder he's producing a point per game with the Henderson Silver Knights.
He also has ample experience at the NHL level, playing four seasons with the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks. Here, he's played in 151 games, scoring six goals and 44 assists. His best season came in 2022-23, when he scored three goals and 26 assists in 62 games.
However, there are some concerns with his game. It's easy to knock him off the puck given his diminutive size (Addison is 5'11" and weighs 180 lbs.). That means picking his spots well and not committing turnovers. He must also improve play in his own zone to become a factor.
Does Addison have a shot with the Vegas Golden Knights?
Unfortunately, he doesn't have a shot this season. According to Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Calen Addison signed an AHL-only contract with the Vegas Golden Knights on October 24. It's most likely he'll spend his time with the Henderson Silver Knights this year, making him a blue-line mainstay on the roster.
However, there is a window to return to the team after this season. Suppose he impresses with the Silver Knights in 2024-25 and continues averaging a point per game (or more). In that case, Kelly McCrimmon might look at the 24-year-old as a potential depth piece in case another injury to a main roster player happens.
This preseason proved there's room for players to make the main roster if they prove themselves. Tanner Pearson is a shining example of this, scoring three goals and five assists in 20 games. If Addison can prove himself to be a worthy player on the attack, there could be a bigger calling on the horizon.