Remember when I talked about Braeden Bowman and how this was his moment with the Vegas Golden Knights? After a solid starting campaign with the Henderson Silver Knights (14 goals and 22 assists in 68 games), the forward was looking for an encore in the 2025 preseason.
Well, it turns out the experts are going all in on the right winger.
Braeden Bowman has consistently impressed throughout rookie camp, training camp and his preseason games.
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) October 1, 2025
To me he’s looked the best of the players outside of the opening night roster. He’s making a great case to be one of the first call-ups.
It's always great when people notice your work. That's especially true when you haven't gotten used to the big stage.
So far, Bowman has handled the pressure of the bright lights perfectly fine, displaying an array of stick skills and awesome positioning. On top of that, his play away from the puck has been admirable, leaving people in awe.
Bowman continues to be so impressive against the puck. Excellent stick, great positioning, good instincts.
— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 1, 2025
Wish he had paid off that last chance to get a few more eyeballs on him.
Not bad for a 22-year-old, eh?
It's like watching a kid pick up a baseball bat and hit homers like a natural. Might as well call Bowman Alfred Delia because he hit dingers (except he slaps goals instead of home runs).
With the reviews coming in, the Kitchener native has lived up to the big moment. He's become a reliable offensive player who scans the ice effortlessly and isn't afraid to take a risk. That could translate into a future roster spot, where he'll fill in for a big name like Mark Stone or William Karlsson.
Where will Braedan Bowman slot into the Vegas Golden Knights' lineup for the future?
Obviously, Bowman's not going to make the 23-man roster heading into the 2025-26 season. The forward depth is immaculate and features plenty of options. You're looking at names like Jonas Rondbjerg, Cole Schwindt, and Raphael Lavoie to potentially fill in these spots.
However, he could be a viable player in the middle of the lineup if his upward trend continues. Bowman has the on-ice vision to create plays and attack accordingly. He's also great at picking apart opposing defenses, finding the perfect scoring opportunity for his teammates.
When he has the puck, he's capable of cashing in on those opportunities himself. He can pick apart goaltenders without any pressure and find an open spot. That will make him valuable in the forward group's lower parts in the near future.
Vegas Golden Knights fans should watch for Bowman to make the future lineup
I'm going to be 100% frank. The prospect pool for Golden Knights skaters stinks like a Discord room. There isn't much substance to the group, aside from a few select names (think Connelly). Other players haven't lived up to the hype, including Matyas Sapovaliv.
That basically covers it.
It's no wonder the Golden Knights are sticking with their 12-man forward group heading into the 2025-26 season. The group is either underdeveloped regarding forward talent or the prospects are terminally AHL-level talent.
Luckily, Bowman can fill in that role without any complications or concerns. He has the offensive talent to fill in on the lower units, providing a scoring spark. The 22-year-old's on-ice vision can also help his teammates navigate opposing defenses, picking apart his opponents while creating scoring opportunities.
Do what you can to get noticed, right?