Let's start with a quick rewind to this past Summer (aka my default Wintertime setting) and the start of free agency. The words "tumultuous" and "dramatic" were thrown around a lot by fans and hockey media of all shapes and sizes to describe the Vegas Golden Knights' free agency period. There was one word that wasn't as often used, but I think applies just as well: low-key.
As we head into the 4 Nations break in a couple of weeks and an increase in trade deadline chatter right alongside it, I think this use of low-key that worked out well with Victor Olofsson could work again with another winger who popped up on the open market Wednesday and was signed on Friday- Brandon Saad.
It's hard not to see how Saad could fit like the proverbial glove in that fourth line. Yes, he's not having a great season by his standards (seven goals, nine assists, -14, 14:36 TOI). But compared to Jonas Rondbjerg, Raphael Lavoie, Tanner Laczynski, or any other wingers who have cycled in and out of that line recently, he would unquestionably be an upgrade. Also, adding someone to the fourth line with 21 career playoff goals alongside someone like Brett Howden who's already dwarfed career highs in goals and TOI. That will come in handy in a tough seven-game series with the Kings or the Edmonton Oilers!
There's also the fact he's never played further West than Denver in his entire career. Does he have a desire to play that far West, even if just for part of a season for a shot at another Stanley Cup? It's an esoteric question, I know, compared to the other bits. But it's something to keep in mind this next month and change. If it's yes, it's absolutely worth it to try to sign him. Back in the day, Ivan Barbashev was considered a low-key, under-the-radar signing, and we saw how well that paid off.
Other Bits from the Realm:
- On Monday, the league officially released the picks for the Golden Knights Quarter-Century teams. They were...pretty good compared to the ones I made a couple of weeks ago (here's the link for the receipts). By "pretty good," I mean 50/50. Which, for semi-educated guesswork, is pretty good. Still think Marc-Andre Fleury was First Team worthy though. But I digress...
- It's not really connected to the team, but it involves a team we might end up facing in the first round: the Calgary Flames. As we were losing yet another overtime game last night, the Flames announced they acquired Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers for Andrei Kuzmenko, Jakob Pelletier and a couple of draft picks.
Does this deal put the Flames above the Golden Knights in a hypothetical seven-game series? I don't think so. But this makes Calgary infinitely more tougher than they might have been 24 hours ago, especially if Dustin Wolf grabs hold of some of the magic pixie dust that always ends up with a little known goaltender.
- Finally, there's the curious case of Alexander Holtz. He was recalled to Henderson in the American Hockey League all the way back on Monday, and normally, I couldn't care less about the goings on in the AHL. But I'm curious to see how he reacts with the Silver Knights. If his game starts to click at the level he showed in flashes with the Devils. Given the conveyor belt of wingers that's been going on in the fourth line, it's not out of the question he's back in Vegas before the season's end. Watch this space...