Remember when the Henderson Silver Knights were good? Back during the COVID-19 pandemic, they actually made the Calder Cup Final before losing to the Bakersfield Condors, 2-1. After that, it was rock bottom for the Silver Knights.
We're talking about finishing at the bottom of the Pacific Division last season. The Silver Knights became the proverbial butt of all hockey jokes in Nevada, as a result. They stunk up the join with bean burrito farts laced with sulfur, making anyone who smelled the farts faint. It's almost like going to a comic con and smelling people not wearing deodorant.
Anyways, life isn't good in the Silver Knights kingdom and they've become the proverbial court jesters of the state. Suddenly, people aren't high on the club and aren't going to the games despite being an AHL club. However, they should have some reason for optimism heading into the 2025-26 season.
"But how? These are the Silver Knights we're talking about here! They're trash!"
Sure, that might've been the case last season. However, one can be inspired the Vegas Golden Knights soundly defeating the Utah Mammoth in the 2025 Rookie Showcase, 8-1. How, you ask? Well, it goes a little something like this.
How the Henderson Silver Knights can build off Saturday's big win
One player that stood out in Saturday's Rookie Showcase win was Kai Uchacz. The forward scored two goals and was aggressive in the slot. He's shown that he can act as a hungry presence up front, making him a formidable threat. But he wasn't alone in giving a strong performance.
Joe Fleming also added some points in the contest, acting as an excellent facilitator. The defenseman looked comfortable in transition, flying up and down the ice without any complications.
The main takeaway? While the blue line still remains a question mark, the forward group looks solid. Names like Mathieu Cataford and Tuomas Uronen lead an underrated group that can put up goals without complications. Fans saw a taste of that on Uchacz's first goal, where Braeden Bowman gave his linemate an easy one-timer to bank in.
That's not even mentioning the goaltending group that has unparalleled talent. Obviously, Golden Knights fans know about Carl Lindbom and what he can do. However, there's also Cameron Whitehead, who forms a solid 1-2 combination. According to Elite Prospects, both goaltenders are projected to make the roster, making the Silver Knights a tougher team to score on.
Will Henderson win the Calder Cup this season? Probably not. However, Saturday's performance against the Utah Mammoth shows what the Golden Knights prospects are capable of achieving in 2025-26. Let's say they might sneak into the playoffs and make some noise.
Just make sure to bring deodorant.