Henderson Silver Knights head coach Joel Ward is getting the keys to the Lamborghini this upcoming season. After the Silver Knights went on a record-breaking run in 2025-26, the expectations are set for the AHL franchise.
Now, you're expected to win and make noise in the AHL. You're supposed to do heavy damage to the Pacific Division and take over the minor leagues in the process. Names like Carl Lindbom and Trevor Connelly got you on the doorstep, meaning that it's time for the next step.
Yeah, kinda like that.
But that next step is making the Calder Cup Final. If you can win the whole thing, that's even better. Still, Henderson has plenty of expectations heading into the 2026-27 season.
One position will be under the microscope for the upcoming season, especially after it exceeded expectations in 2025-26. That position is vital for a winning team's operations, after all. Look at the 2012 Los Angeles Kings as a perfect example of this, when Golden Knights Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Quick led the way.
Why the Silver Knights goaltending will be vital for the team's success
Last season, the Silver Knights were buoyed by the strong play of one Carl Lindbom. The Swedish netminder posted a GAA of 2.16, a save percentage of .926, and three shutouts. That was good enough to buoy the Silver Knights to third place in the Pacific Division and to get a Calder Cup playoff spot.
The Silver Knights also had Cameron Whitehead for 17 games, although he wasn't as successful as Lindbom. The Northeastern alum posted a GAA of 3.54 and a save percentage of .873 during his Silver Knights stint, although that was his first general exposure to the AHL level.
There's good reason to believe that Lindbom could get some NHL starts this season, specifically if Carter Hart or Adin Hill get hurt again. Therefore, the burden falls on the other goaltenders, namely Whitehead, to step up.
The Silver Knights are expected to field a deep forward group again, consisting of names like Tanner Laczynski and Matyas Sapovaliv. However, you can only do so much with an effective offense when you keep allowing goals. That was the case with the Golden Knights last season when they witnessed Hill collapse.
If the Silver Knights can get plenty of mileage from their goaltending, it'll ease the pressure off Ward. If not, it'll be the same old Silver Knights team relegated to being forgotten within the Nevada hockey sphere. That's something that Henderson doesn't want to see, especially after its surprising run last season.
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