No, Braeden Bowman hasn't been fired. He's still with the Vegas Golden Knights as an upcoming prospect, hoping to achieve his NHL dreams. He's different from Mike Gundy, the man (who's no longer 40) fired by Oklahoma State University today.
My condolences to you and your mullet, Mr. Gundy. May you find a new college football coaching gig yelling at young adults.
Anyways, the good news is that Bowman doesn't have to tell people he's 40. He's 22 years old, after all. But he's nowhere close to being given the boot from the Golden Knights organization, either.
Last season, he had a solid rookie campaign with the Henderson Silver Knights, scoring 14 goals and 22 assists in 68 games. That's a nice transition from his 2023-24 campaign with the OHL's Guelph Storm, where he scored 37 goals and 34 assists in 68 games. Crunchitize me, Captain!
2025-26 is the perfect opportunity for the young forward to continue his ascent onto the NHL scene. He can bring another outstanding campaign to the table and bolster his stock within the organization. So, what does the young forward need to do to make that happen?
Let's compile a checklist of what Bowman can do to make his NHL dreams happen. That way, he can fill in the gaps once the big guns leave town.
What Braeden Bowman must do this preseason to boost his Vegas Golden Knights stock
The first thing Braeden Bowman must keep doing is simplifying the game. He's great at keeping his shot selection simple and sweet along with his touches. He doesn't try doing too much on the ice, which makes things easier for the Golden Knights.
In fact, his whole game is based around what he does with the puck. Sometimes, he holds onto it long enough to draw out defenders. This is perfect for transitioning offensively, where he'll find the open man that jumps into the attack. This was why he was valuable for an underachieving Silver Knights team last season.
But one area he can definitely grow is high-danger chances. The Golden Knights prospect is great at cashing in on medium-danger chances with mere tap-ins, using his vision to thrive in the zone. Now? It's time to evolve his game and carry himself to the next level.
That means cashing in on high-danger chances. This will get you that Golden Knights roster spot in the future and turn you into a viable NHL star. That's especially true since Vegas led the NHL in High Danger Shots For in 5-on-5 situations last season, according to MoneyPuck (209). If you plan on making the roster, you must thrive and be willing to get dirty in this area.
Of course, there's also getting more experience at the AHL level and learning how to adapt to the professional game's faster pace. However, Bowman is on the right track to make the roster should he stick to his strengths. That starts this preseason, where the Golden Knights will look to fill more holes for the future.