Once upon a time, Logan Thompson was granted the starting goaltender role for the Vegas Golden Knights. He was an excellent goaltender who was on the NHL All-Rookie 2nd Team last season. With a save percentage of .915, a GAA of 2.65, and an adjusted GAA of 2.68 in 37 games in 2022-2023, how could one not love the guy?
The only problem? Thompson got hurt, being one of many goaltender injuries for the Golden Knights. In comes Adin Hill, who saves the day for the Vegas Golden Knights, as they get their "Happily Ever After" with the Stanley Cup.
However, let's play devil's advocate for Thompson, giving the hottest take of all. It's time to explore the possibility of why the Calgary native should start in net for the Golden Knights more. Before that, let's explore the "here and the now."
1. Where We Stand
Hill is the regular starter for the Golden Knights, kicking butt across the NHL to start the season. That was before he, too, was injured. That left an opportunity for Thompson to enter the fold. The Calgary native is solid until the end of January, with a GAA of 2.72 and a save percentage of .912 for January.
Eventually, Hill returns, establishing himself as the starting goaltender. However, there's a tiny little problem. The other Calgary native has been below-average in the past two months, allowing an average of 3.55 goals in his past 11 games entering Tuesday. The last time Hill allowed less than three goals was on February 27 against the Toronto Maple Leafs (he allowed two in a 6-2 victory). On top of that, his save percentage in that 11-game span heading into Tuesday was .884. That leaves a golden opportunity for Thompson to return to the crease.