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Golden Knights Training Camp: Observations and notes from Day 1

Posted on by Danny Webster

The Vegas Golden Knights are back to training camp, which means hockey is almost here, which means people are skating and things are happening.

Day One of Year 2 of Golden Knights training camp got underway on Friday. The roster has been split into three teams, and two scrimmages took place. Here’s a refresher on who is on what team.

Theodore not at camp

One name not on the list of teams, but was on the official training camp roster, was defenseman Shea Theodore. The restricted free agent remains unsigned with less than a month to go before the start of the regular season.

General manager George McPhee said he didn’t feel any added pressure to get a deal done with Theodore, despite being a top-four defenseman a year ago. McPhee followed that with saying Theodore is welcomed to attend camp.

About that invite …

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports Theodore and the Golden Knights are still far apart on a new deal, so that’s fun.

With the Erik Karlsson saga now at its conclusion, this could become a more conscientious  window of Vegas getting a deal done soon. Maybe Theodore was going to be part of a Golden Knights package to acquire Karlsson? Who really knows? Maybe something gets resolved in the coming days because Karlsson now dons the teal in San Jose.

Ryan Reaves leaves with cut on face

A bloody situation during the final practice of the day, when the Vegas fourth-line winger suffered a cut to the face and was taken to the locker room. The laceration was caused by Brandon Pirri’s being flipped in the air and his blade cutting Reaves.

Coach Gerard Gallant said Reaves is fine. Knowing Reaves, he’ll probably be skating tomorrow.

Tomas Nosek remains good

Vegas’ best player from the Stanley Cup Final continues to give some thought that he may be vying for a third-line spot this year.

Nosek scored a pretty goal far side on Zach Fucale during the Team A-Team B scrimmage, in which Team A won 3-1. Not that there’s a round robin tournament for this such a thing, but alas, there is some competitive banter to be had.

Nosek scored three goals in the Cup Final, including two in Game 1. Since Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, Nosek has had some noteworthy moments that could lead to a bigger role. With how convoluted the status of the bottom six is, it’s not inconceivable to think Nosek can challenge for some third-line wing minutes.

Erik Brannstrom continues to look solid, Schmidt skates

It was the first official time the shining prospect defenseman got to skate with, and against, his NHL brethren in Vegas.  Much like his performance in the Vegas Rookie Faceoff, Brannstrom looked solid in the A-B scrimmage.

Brannstrom was paired with Brayden McNabb. He didn’t make any noteworthy plays in the offensive zone — aside from a few smart passes. Where he stood out was along the boards, especially in a couple instances against Alex Tuch. He was on the ice for one of the goals allowed, but was far from the reason it was given up.

As for McNabb’s primary defensive partner, Nate Schmidt, Vegas’ top defenseman is allowed to participate in training camp while serving his 20-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, but he will not skate in the preseason. Schmidt was paired with fellow prospect Nic Hague for Team A.

Schmidt, as expected, will also not address the media during camp, per Golden Knights PR.

Marc-Andre Fleury wants a boy

Introducing the biggest scoop of the day:

Fleury’s wife Veronique announced Thursday that the couple is expecting their third child in March. Flower has two daughters, so obviously having a boy is a fair balance, right?

Max Pacioretty and Paul Stastny are locker neighbors

Because of course they are.

Talking Points