The Official Vegas Golden Knights thread

[Vegas Halo Fan]

The Knights had not given up a first period goal at home in the entire playoffs, before giving up two in less than a minute tonight. I have a feeling that the defense will tighten up on both sides in Game 2 after the coaches have had a chance to look at the game films. These two teams have not seen a lot of one another.

One thing that has helped the Knights against the Capitals: Alex Ovechkin has three shots in three games.

[Angel Oracle]

That looked like a 1980's Stanley Cup game, with all the scoring.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

The Knights had a number of defensive busts last night that cost them - although one of the Caps' goals was a total fluke (glanced off another player, hit the inside of the post and went in). The most telling time of the night was when they blew a rare 5-on-3 situation for 1:30. They kept passing the puck trying to get the ideal shot instead of throwing everything on goal, and the opportunity was wasted. Now they have to get at least one game in Washington or this is pretty much over.

That said, it seemed a bit surreal to see "Inaugural Season" and "Stanley Cup Final" on the same ice.

[Angel Oracle]

The Caps' 1-1-3 neutral zone trap is playing havoc with the GK's offense in the past two games.

[gotbeer]

Dang.  This looks familiar.  Do almost everything right.  Miss an open netter.  Dominate.  Then the other team scores on their first good opportunity.  

At least you will get one more home game.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Just don't let them skate the cup here.

The Knights have saved their worst play of the season for hockey's biggest stage. 

[gotbeer]

That's the dumbshit Sbisa I remember.

[gotbeer]

[gotbeer]

It was a good run by the Knights.  

[Vegas Halo Fan]

It was hard to watch the third period tonight. That said, we had the improbable juxtaposition of "Inaugural Season" and "Stanley Cup Final" on the same ice. The unthinkable happened. The final chapter will have to wait for now, but what a start for the franchise.

There are those who always believed that this city's interest in sports would always begin and end with futures odds, point spreads and proposition bets. I always believed that there was more here, and that we only needed the first league to make the jump to prove it. The NHL did that. People at work who never discussed sports before talked about the previous night's game. The last meeting I went to at work, at least half the room were wearing some Golden Knights item (mine was a lanyard for my ID card).

Where next year will go, we will see. The team will be hard pressed to match what happened in '17-'18.

[gotbeer]

Well Duh.  Coach of the year will be just as suspenseful I'm sure.  

[gotbeer]

Oh it already happened.  

 

[gotbeer]

Bonus award.

 

[gotbeer]

Hmm.   Found this one too.

Lot's a trophies for the Knights.

[gotbeer]

So I don't know what is more impressive.  

 

The landslide that Galant won by.   Or that one broadcaster did not put Gallant first second or third.   

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Free agency begins July 1. It will be interesting to see who is re-signed and who is let go. The Knights have several players who were on the last year of their contracts (maybe one reason that they were available in the expansion draft).

[Tank]

Vegas fans may be in for a rude awakening depending on how free agency goes.

[gotbeer]

7 hours ago, Tank said:

Vegas fans may be in for a rude awakening depending on how free agency goes.

I don't think losing Luca Sbisa or Clayton Stoner will be much of a shock for the Knights.  Perron and Reaves are just run of the mill third line guys that really outperformed.  Neal would be their biggest loss, but he already said he wants back.  

That said.  They have no money to spend also.  Only $30 million in cap space.  

[gotbeer]

NHL Rumors: Vegas Golden Knights – Neal, Perron, Sbisa and Reaves

Neal is good.  But I don't think he's $6.5 million a season good.  What the Knights offered in the $5 million range is fair for his production.  Looking at his stats, the biggest issue with him is consistency.  81 points 6 years ago on Pitt.  61 in his final year at Pitt.  But then 58 2 years ago on Nashville.  And the rest under 50 points.  

Perron scored 66 points last season.  But other than that, he's been pretty mediocre.  Probably around a $2-3 million player, but I'm sure he will be looking for north of $5 due to his fluke season.  Please just say no Ducks and Knights at that price.  

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Ryan Reaves re-signed after testing the free agent market. James Neal wanted a five-year deal, and at his age, the FO wasn't willing to sign him for that long. Signing Paul Stasny will help to ease the pain a bit. There is also news that they are in trade talks with Ottawa for Erik Karlsson.

Thanks for your concern, Tank, but we will do just fine in free agency. We have a new arena and training facility, first-class ownership and management, a raucous game day atmosphere (that even visiting players have remarked about), and a location with incredible recreational opportunities and no state or local income tax. Barry Melrose says that this will be "a destination" for NHL free agents. Will some guys leave? Sure, because they are asking for more than the front office is willing to give them (see Neal, James). We will be OK talent-wise.

[Pujols4MVP]

Not having Neal will make the Golden Knights more respected by other teams.

Calgary is gonna become the most hated team in the Pacific with Neal/Tkachuk/Giordano/Gaudreau & possibly they may sign Maroon (he got suspended vs the Kings cause of intentionally trying to injure someone).

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Neal spent a lot of time out of the lineup, about as much as he did in. Supposedly he didn't have a great relationship with Gerard Gallant either, which I'm sure didn't weigh in his favor in contract talks if true.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

The Knights have signed G Marc-Andre Fleury to a three-year extension. His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the upcoming season.

[Tank]

9 hours ago, Vegas Halo Fan said:

The Knights have signed G Marc-Andre Fleury to a three-year extension. His previous deal was set to expire at the end of the upcoming season.

good move for them.

[Pujols4MVP]

1 hour ago, Tank said:

good move for them.

Yup. Fleury is Mr. June when it comes to playoff Goalies.