Brendan Brisson Is Now a Golden Knight. What Does He Bring to the Table?

In case you've heard the bad news, Jack Eichel had lower-body surgery, leaving him out on a week-by-week basis. With the sea of injuries plaguing the Vegas Golden Knights, reinforcements are desperately needed. Luckily, they have a former first-round pick that can help. His name? Brendan Brisson.

The former Michigan Wolverine comes in on the heels of Vegas losing arguably their most valuable player. Called up on Sunday, Brisson has the chance to showcase what he's made of during his tenure. The Pacific Division isn't getting any easier, either. Edmonton and Seattle are surging, Los Angeles is not far behind, and Vancouver is atop the league. On top of that, Brisson's a depth piece that the Golden Knights desperately need now.

So let's look at the former first-round pick, shall we? How can he set himself apart from Vegas's previous failures? What strengths does he bring to the table? Here's what Golden Knights fans can expect from their newest Clark Kent, who might turn out to be Superman.

1. Brendan Brisson's Background

Our newest call-up, Brendan Brisson has been doing this hockey thing his whole life. Born on October 22, 2001, in the pristine hockey town of... Manhattan Beach, California, Brisson started his career with the Los Angeles Kings 13U AAA team. There, he scored 28 total points in 2014-2015, getting his feet wet for his inevitable NHL career.

But it wasn't until he started playing for Shattuck St. Mary's prep team that he started to take off. In 2017-2018, the winger scored 67 points, bumping his total up to an astonishing 101 points the next season. He also had a brief stint in the USHL, playing two seasons in the league before heading off to college.

There, Brisson became a Michigan Man, scoring 63 points (31 goals, 32 assists) during his Wolverine tenure. He was on the Second-Team All Big Ten team and was on the NCAA All-Region Team. It wasn't until he was done singing "Hail to the Victors" that he caught the eye of the Vegas Golden Knights. Drafted 29th overall, Brendan Brisson was ready to start his new journey towards the NHL.

But first, the winger had to make his cut in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights. This was where he became a staple on the team in a short time. In three seasons, he totaled 68 points (31 goals, 37 assists), making his impact known.

2. Brendan Brisson's Impact

Brendan Brisson is regarded by scouts as an incredible problem-solving forward. That asset's vital if he's ever on special teams, for he can sniff out a look and make the according play. Therefore, Vegas can use his intelligence.

With both Jack Eichel and William Karlsson out for some time, it's expected that the winger will get some looks here. When he was called up on Sunday, the former first-round pick had a bit of a learning curve. He was outmuscled on some pucks and had to fight for his keep.

However, Bruce Cassidy said it perfectly, saying, "In those battles, these are men. This is a man's league. That's why we emphasize the fitness part."

Much of Brisson's game will grow over time. That includes his physicality, sense of the game, and his puck control. With more experience, he'll fit right into the lineup seamlessly.