Tanner Laczynski was signed by the Vegas Golden Knights as a forward depth piece. He had a nice shot to his arsenal and carried versatility to his game. Such traits made him admirable, which is why Kelly McCrimmon signed him to a two-year, $1.55 million deal.
In turn, he got a tryout with the main roster, where he could act as a fourth-line player. While he fell short of his goals, the former Philadelphia Flyer found himself with the Henderson Silver Knights. Certainly, there's an opportunity for him to thrive here, right?
That's exactly what he's done. Laczynski leads the Silver Knights in scoring with nine points (four goals, five assists). He's tied for the most team goals and is using that shot for good, giving Henderson an offensive bite.
The forward has been one of the few bright spots for the Silver Knights, who are currently in last place in the Pacific Division with four points. Two wins and seven losses aren't making fans of the AHL franchise go "HUZZAH!" However, Laczynski and his shot have done an incredible job of providing hope.
Does he stand a chance at cracking the main roster this season? Will he come in for an injured Golden Knights star and create havoc against his opponents? Let's examine the plausibility and how the forward can carve a niche.
Getting Tanner Laczynski to the Vegas Golden Knights
Obviously, the main thing that must happen for Tanner Laczynski to be a Vegas Golden Knights player is having open spots available. That's mainly from being called up in case of an injury. The Golden Knights have done well to avoid the injury bug, with only players like Willam Karlsson and Victor Olofsson suffering significant setbacks during the season.
If Laczynski gets called up, he could be a viable fourth-line player. Look at his fellow Tanner, Tanner Pearson. The former first-round pick has adapted well to Bruce Cassidy's system, scoring three goals and four assists. He also has 13 hits in 12 games, proving himself a valuable lower-line player.
That could be Laczynski's calling card as he brings a solid shot to the mix. He's also experienced in special teams, where he also adds an element of intelligence. The former Flyer could be the depth piece the Golden Knights need, specifically as the season's grind wears on.
However, there could be problems with him leaving the Henderson Silver Knights. For one, there's Brendan Brisson in front of him. The native of Manhattan Beach is waiting for his spot and could get the first calling. It depends on his development, though. Therefore, it's a wait-and-see approach for the Golden Knights.
Other issues such as consistenly staying on the ice also come into play. However, if he continues impressing the faithful and front office for a lowly Silver Knights team, he might find an opportunity with the NHL club. The season's young, so anything can happen in hockey. That's especially true with the Golden Knights dealing with numerous injuries in recent years.