Predicting the 2024-25 season for Zach Whitecloud
Zach Whitecloud has been one of the quieter faces of the Vegas Golden Knights. Is this the year he makes noise?
Zach Whitecloud isn't one of the loudest players on the Vegas Golden Knights. If you're keeping count at home, not many Golden Knights stars make much noise to begin with. They don't like bringing noise or attention to themselves, working hard to win another championship for Las Vegas. That's probably why they've been one of the most successful franchises since 2017-18.
As for the defenseman, it's a testament to his game. He prefers to play a hard-nosed game as a blue-liner, proving he brings balance on the forecheck. Last season, he had a total of 105 blocked shots and 129 hits, which made plenty of noise in the NHL. That's not all, though! He had a career-high in assists in 2023-24 with 12.
But this is a "golden" opportunity for Whitecloud to make even more noise and disrupt his opponents. The status quo has never been good in the long run, especially when the same few teams were winning. That's what happened in 2017-18 when an expansion team made the Stanley Cup Final. Hmm... I wonder what happened to that franchise?
Anyways, the native of Brandon, Manitoba can make himself known and the Golden Knights a threat. But will that happen in 2024-25, where the team looks drastically different? How will Vegas's new team structure affect his production? Let's explore what the new hockey year looks for the defenseman.
What factors will play into Zach Whitecloud's 2024-25 season with the Vegas Golden Knights?
A full season of Noah Hanifin will play a role in the 2024-25 season for Zach Whitecloud. How, you might ask? The Vegas Golden Knights suddenly have a surplus of defensemen for the new year, even with Alec Martinez leaving via free agency. Players like Ben Hutton and Kaeden Korczak are waiting in the wings, hoping to get a starting spot.
So what would happen? If a name like Brayden McNabb or Shea Theodore, both unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2025, gets traded, that opens up a higher slot. That means a name like Whitecloud could get the bump. He could get more reps with better offensive talent, including Mark Stone, Tomas Hertl, and William Karlsson.
But if no moves are made, it'll be the status quo for the Bemidji State alumnus. That means good forechecking followed up by an anonymous offensive game. Granted, that isn't a bad thing for the Golden Knights. It gives the lower units more weight defensively, providing balance in a more physical aspect. But bringing in a bigger name could help everyone involved, including Whitecloud himself.
Predicting the 2024-25 season for Zach Whitecloud
Zach Whitecloud isn't expected to become the next Erik Karlsson or Cale Makar. He plays a more traditional role on the blue line, where he focuses on keeping the puck out of the net. It fits into Bruce Cassidy's system well, for Whitecloud can use his body to block shots and wear the opposing team down.
What does 2024-25 hold for the defenseman? Will he make more noise in the new hockey year? How will his defensive numbers look? Whitecloud should score three goals and nine assists with the Vegas Golden Knights, maintaining the status quo with the team. He's improving as an offensive player, so it wouldn't be shocking to see these numbers jump a bit.
The Bemidji State alumnus is learning to act as a complimentary piece for the offensive attack. He'll become more potent on the rush, giving the Golden Knights another weapon on the rush. Once he hones that craft, the team will reap the rewards. It'll be like having another Noah Hanifin on defense. What about the defensive stats, you say? How about 137 blocked shots and 140 hits this season? He should take another step in this regard, too.
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