It's no secret that the Vegas Golden Knights don't have a solid farm system. The group comprises middle-of-the-lineup guys at best, leaving Vegas to search for viable top-line players. It makes the future uncertain, even with Kelly McCrimmon running things.
However, one group stands out prospects-wise: the goaltenders. Names such as Carl Lindbom, Cameron Whitehead, and Pavel Moisevich offer a breath of confidence in stabilizing the goaltender situation for Vegas. A combination of size, speed, and skill makes this group the envy of the NHL, especially when looking at the prospects' best campaigns from last season.
Prospect | GAA | Save Percentage | Shutouts |
|---|---|---|---|
Carl Lindbom (Henderson) | 2.65 | .912 | 3 |
Cameron Whitehead (Northeastern) | 2.74 | .911 | 1 |
Pavel Moisevich (SKA St. Petersburg | 3.32 | .898 | 1 |
While Moisevich might've had a rough time in the KHL last season, the season before was excellent. Here, he posted a GAA of 1.25 and a save percentage of .942 in 13 games. Sure, you can argue that it's a small sample size. However, he still showed his worth as a viable prospect.
So, what gives? Why is it that the Golden Knights don't have problems with getting the best goaltender prospects in their farm system? How will it benefit the franchise in the long run and provide much-needed stability for their Stanley Cup contention window?
What makes the Golden Knights goaltender prospects so great
I remember the VGK Open House and listening to goaltending coach Sean Burke speak. He mentioned a heavy emphasis on size and being able to cover the net. Of course, it also helped to have some athletic movements in the process. However, size reigns supreme over everything else!
That's especially true with Adin Hill, who stands at a daunting 6'5". The Calgary native had a spectacular season in 2024-25 and was everything Burke and company wanted. That also rings true with Akira Schmid, who stands at 6'4". Having a big goaltender to back up your other big goaltender makes life easier for the Golden Knights.
Looking at Pavel Moisevich, he fits the bill perfectly. The Belarusian prospect stands at 6'7", taking up so much space in the net. On top of that, he carries swift movements in his game, making him a viable backup.
The same goes for Cameron Whitehead, who stands at 6'3". While he won't eat as much space as Hill, Schmid, or Moisevich, the Northeastern University star still has enough size to make life hard for opponents.
Overall, the Golden Knights goaltending prospects have a solid mix of size and speed
Carl Lindbom might be the black sheep amongst the group, standing at 6'1". However, he relies on hockey smarts and swift movements to complement his game. It's similar to what Marc-Andre Fleury did during his Golden Knights tenure, relying on overall athleticism to get him by.
That gives Vegas plenty of diverse talent and positives to work with, solidifying the position. It provides McCrimmon with the ultimate opportunity to focus on other malnourished groups, such as the blue line prospects and the centers.
The last two years, the Golden Knights haven't had many draft picks to work with. In fact, they've had eight draft picks in the last two years combined. Next year brings five picks (likely that'll be traded by McCrimmon) with the next two years bringing a combined 14.
The goaltender group will provide the perfect opportunity to replenish and reload. With Hill sticking around for six more seasons, fans can expect stability from the positional group. Ironically, it's something that's eluded the Golden Knights since Fleury was traded, leaving them searching for answers.
Could the positional depth be the solution to their problems? Stay tuned.