Remember when Tanner Pearson was brought on for a PTO by the Vegas Golden Knights last season? Not many people thought about the former first-round pick, especially after scoring a paltry five goals and eight assists with the Montreal Canadiens in 2023-24. The roster appeared set to many people...
...Except it didn't. In fact, a funny thing happened during the 2024-25 preseason.
Pearson showed out. He scored goals. He got down and dirty in puck battles. Most of all, he wanted a roster spot with the Golden Knights.
Ask and you shall receive, good sir.
Pearson gets a spot with Vegas and becomes an integral part of the fourth line. Here, he scored 12 goals and 15 assists in 78 games, providing scoring and stability for the Pacific Division winners. On top of that, he got first-line reps with Jack Eichel for doing so much with the team.
Heck, the former first-round pick got a short-handed goal!
Overall, it was a solid 2024-25 campaign for Pearson, who eventually got a one-year deal worth $1 million with the Winnipeg Jets. All of this comes from the magic of the PTO, which can yield starters and potential difference makers for teams like the Golden Knights.
But that leaves a major question about the current roster. Is there any room for the Golden Knights to consider a PTO with their thin farm system?
Will the Vegas Golden Knights see that same magic in 2025-26?
Unfortunately, that doesn't seem like it will happen. However, it isn't because the Golden Knights don't want anybody. It's because they don't need anybody. Kelly McCrimmon has told the media that he's happy with his lineup during the summer (sans a potential blue line shake-up), ranging from the forward group to the goaltenders.
Currently, no players are coming to the Golden Knights on a PTO. Considering the team's cap situation is tight and McCrimmon seems satisfied with his current lineup, that doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon. But that doesn't mean fans shouldn't speculate about the possibilities.
Some fans are worried about the position given Akira Schmid's inexperience and Adin Hill's workload. Could names like Alexandar Georgiev fill the void and come in on a PTO? It might not be the most attractive option, considering his recent history of being shaky. In fact, it might invoke memories of Ilya Samsonov from last season.
However, you can't discount Kelly McCrimmon from making a move to better his team. Even if he's comfortable with his current unit, the general manager's willing to do whatever it takes to put his team in a winning position. That's no different here if he changes his mind on the goaltender position.
That's the beauty of the game, mind you. Sometimes, a random move can make a difference in winning the Stanley Cup versus being eliminated in the second round. Just look at Adin Hill, who stole the show in the 2023 Stanley Cup run. That could be another PTO underdog waiting in the wings for another potential Golden Knights hero.