Getting to know Tomas Hertl

When the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Tomas Hertl from the San Jose Sharks, the goal was getting a bigger body in front of the net. That would boost different elements of their game, including the second line and power play. The latter got some much-needed life, averaging 46.7% in their last six games.

Vegas is hoping the unit will continue to thrive heading into the upcoming season. With a former enemy fighting alongside the Golden Knights, fans will see what the Czech center is all about in a full season. How will he play with his linemates? Will we see a scoring duo of Hertl and Mark Stone? That's why you should tune in to see Vegas this season, for it'll have plenty of suspense.

But let's get to know the trade deadline acquisition and see what he's about. What are some fun facts to know about the forward? What did he do during his time with the Sharks? It's time to meet everyone's favorite turtle and see what makes him special. After all, a wise man once said, "Fun must be always."

Meeting the 2024 trade deadline acquisition, Tomas Hertl

The Vegas Golden Knights made an unexpected move during the 2024 trade deadline. They acquired Tomas Hertl and two third-round picks (2025 and 2027) from the San Jose Sharks for David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick. The move was surprising given both teams have become rivals in recent memory. However, the Sharks were rebuilding, meaning they needed to offload some salary.

Still, the Golden Knights are happy to have him on the team. That's especially true with a mundane power play that hasn't had any substance in franchise history. In fact, he's scored 50 power play goals during his San Jose career. His career-high came in 2018-19 when he scored 11 goals on the man advantage. Overall, he scored 218 goals and 266 assists in 11 seasons with his former club.

Hertl was also the first player born in the modern day Czech Republic after Czechoslovakia dissolved to appear in an NHL game. He started his playing career with HC Slavia Prahain the Czech Extraliga. Here, he played three seasons at the ELH level, scoring 30 goals and 25 assists in 82 games.

He also represented the Czech Republic on an international level, playing for his home country during four Ice Hockey World Championships. He scored five goals and nine assists at the senior level, winning the bronze in 2022. That season, he scored a goal and had four assists in 10 games, with the assists marking a career-high at the level.