Hertl will fit in well with the two-way formula
Kelly McCrimmon emphasizes playing both ends of the ice and being able to handle transition hockey well. That includes forcing turnovers and going on odd-man rushes, where the opposing team has its guard down. Names like Mark Stone and William Karlsson come to mind, specifically with their headstrong style of play. But can last season's big trade deadline acquisition follow suit and be impactful? Yes.
Tomas Hertl won't have any problems with this style because he stands at 6'3" and weighs 215 lbs. He's totaled 757 hits during his 11 seasons with San Jose, offering some physicality defensively. The Czech forward won't have any problems fitting into Bruce Cassidy's forechecking system. He can use his large body to block shots more, deliver hits, and clog more shooting lanes, making the Golden Knights better.
The San Jose Sharks weren't the ideal NHL team in the past few years, for they were rebuilding after a long Stanley Cup contender run. That meant not having the necessary pieces to contend for championships. The Golden Knights will operate differently from their rivals and not have this problem. In fact, expect Hertl to grow within his new team this season. He'll have no issues aiding an odd-man rush or two in 2024-25.