The case against Kelly McCrimmon and the Golden Knights moving Shea Theodore
While moving Shea Theodore sounds like a good idea, there are good reasons why that shouldn't be the case. First, he has a niche defensively, relying on his quickness to make plays. It's good to have a defensive player who contrasts with his fellow blue-liners, steering away from brute strength to pickpocket opposing players.
That's how he generated 302 takeaways during his Vegas Golden Knights career, making him one of their most reliable defensemen. With his shaky play on the defensive end, he won't be the perfect blue-line player. However, he can get by by creating turnovers and leading the forecheck.
Theodore also serves a purpose as an offensive quarterback, distributing scoring opportunities to his teammates. During his Golden Knights tenure, he's scored 223 assists, making him one of the most underrated offensive blue-liners in the league. That includes the power play, where he dictates the play and can even score from the point.
While fans aren't sold on the Canadian superstar being a quality defenseman, he makes up for it with his offensive acumen. Whether it's generating rebounds for his teammates or his outstanding puck handling, Theodore can carry the play. He also holds the cards with a five-team no-trade list. That alone should give Kelly McCrimmon an incentive to keep his services.