Ladies and gentlemen, August is nearly over. That means we're going to have hockey for nine straight months (hopefully with the Vegas Golden Knights front and center), giving us the puck-loving adrenaline rush that everyone has desperately craved. Prepare yourselves because September 29 is a month away!
This season's slate will include a Stadium Series game in Arlington, Texas, and plenty of nationally televised games. That means you'll get your dose of Golden Knights hockey in more ways than one! Thank goodness for the extra two games on the NHL slate, eh?
Also, thank goodness that the preseason is rolling around the corner with September 19 looming large. That means that the team's roster structure will pan out with plenty of names vying for a spot. Who'll make the seventh defenseman battle interesting? Who gets the top line spot? It's time to rile up the suspense and break out the popcorn, dear reader.
That's why these three questions will come to mind for the upcoming preseason slate. These range from recent acquisitions to upcoming players in the system. Who will stand out for the Golden Knights during the preseason? Who has the most to lose?
1.) What will the bottom-six look like?
There are plenty of questions with this group, starting with the third center. Will the Golden Knights move Tomas Hertl here and continue Karlsson's momentum with Mitch Marner? Or does the Original Misfit stay on the third unit and anchor it as the center?
Moreover, can Alexander Holtz cash in on his (possibly) last chance with the Golden Knights. The winger's residency hasn't gone exactly as planned, leaving most fans underwhelmed. Expect him to be gone sooner rather than later if he doesn't have a strong preseason.
2.) What can Golden Knights fans expect from Marc Gatcomb?
The Vegas Golden Knights picked up Marc Gatcomb over the summer to add more forward depth. The consensus on the former Islander is that he'll hit plenty of people and provide grit. That's good news for a Golden Knights team replacing some players in the lower groups.
Can he impress the masses during the preseason, though? The focus will be on how he handles such pressure and whether he can fit into the Golden Knights' system. Vegas primarly plays a defensive style that eases the pressure off the goaltender through reduced space, so it'll be interesting to see how he'll do during the preseason.
3.) How will Carl Lindbom do during the preseason?
The Swedish wunderkind has impressed many people throughout his Henderson residency, racking up shutouts and leading the Silver Knights to a Calder Cup playoff berth. His ongoing ascent has fans on the edge of their seats, leaving them to wonder where he'll go next.
The preseason offers the perfect opportunity to show that he's closer to the big stage than initially thought. That's especially true with the wave of injuries hitting the goaltending room last season. Fans aren't too enthused about the group's health history, particularly with one tenured name.
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