This training camp session for the Vegas Golden Knights has been one of the most noteworthy in history. It features a handful of forwards vying for a roster spot, with a decision coming down to the session's final days. The competition was fierce and men were fighting for their livelihoods. The fight to live out their hockey dreams would (hopefully) be fulfilled.
For some, their dreams were realized as they've gotten contracts. Others, not so much. The other players were waived, making way for the more-tenured, proven stars. Being cut in the NHL is never a fun deal, especially when you've put in tremendous work to get to training camp. Still, that's life.
While the other players will spend time developing in the minor leagues or looking for work elsewhere, there were four standouts at the Golden Knights training camp. Names like Tanner Pearson and Pavel Dorofeyev made their presence felt, impressing hockey fans and Las Vegas citizens alike. Will they continue their momentum into the regular season? Stay tuned, hockey fans.
So who were the standouts for the Golden Knights this training camp session? Who turned heads and impressed the home crowd with their talents? Making Vegas's main roster is never an easy, especially when they're contending for a Stanley Cup every year. Let's look at the four players who made their mark.
Tanner Pearson
The former Los Angeles Kings first-round pick showcased his veteran acumen, scoring two goals and an assist. He scored solid goals for the Vegas Golden Knights during the preseason session, putting in tremendous work. Even Bruce Cassidy was impressed by how well Tanner Pearson did during training camp.
🎥 Cassidy on Tanner Pearson: We've liked his camp, and he's earned his way onto the roster. pic.twitter.com/FfGOR8HSPt
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 4, 2024
His work earned him a new one-year contract, giving him $775,000 for the upcoming season. It's a win-win for both parties, as Pearson will spend one more season playing NHL hockey. As for the Golden Knights, they get to squeeze in a team-friendly deal that'll help them on the fourth line.
Akira Schmid
On October 1, Akira Schmid stood tall against some NHL-ready players in Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. He stopped 27 of the 28 shots (.964 save percentage!) he faced, leading the Vegas Golden Knights to a 6-1 victory. Schmid showed his ability to use his 6'5" frame to his advantage, swallowing shots and moving with the play.
With Adin Hill and Ilya Samsonov hitting free agency next summer, expectations are high for Schmid to take the reins. Schmid has the tools to thrive in Bruce Cassidy's goaltender-friendly system, with shots coming in easily. That's especially true if he can duplicate performances against high-scoring teams like the Colorado Avalanche.
Pavel Dorofeyev
Fans have lauded Pavel Dorofeyev for his growth as a hockey player. He scored 13 goals in 47 games last season, signaling his ability to compete at the NHL level. However, he showcased his ability to handle the workload on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.
The Russian winger scored a hat trick and tacked on an assist, providing a bulk of the Vegas Golden Knights offense. He also worked well with Tomas Hertl and Alexander Holtz, giving Bruce Cassidy an idea about a new line. It could help the Golden Knights go on another deep playoff run.
Tanner Laczynski
Tanner Pearson wasn't the only Tanner getting... tanner on the ice. Tanner Laczynski was a productive talent for the Golden Knights. He showed his scoring chops during training camp, adding a goal and assist during Vegas's October 1st victory.
Despite being waived by the franchise (he did clear), his shooting and cohesiveness in the Golden Knights offense turned heads. It was enough to get him to the latter days of training camp, where he raised eyebrows. Could he get an NHL deal with another team? Stay tuned.