Comments / New

Golden Knights assign Tomas Hyka, Stefan Matteau to Chicago Wolves

It’s hard not to be somewhat frustrated with the recent flurry of moves the Golden Knights have made. After trading away Tobias Lindberg and retaining salary on the Derick Brassard deal for Ryan Reaves (and a mid-round draft pick), the Golden Knights have now demoted Tomas Hyka and Stefan Matteau to the AHL.

Matteau was a likely demotion. In this three-game stint, he didn’t log a single point and performed rather poorly with Oscar Lindberg on the fourth line. Hyka, though, is something special to watch. His speed adds a lot to the Golden Knights’ bottom six and he plays with a ton of confidence (a necessary attribute for a playmaker like himself). Hyka makes a lot of sense as a bottom-sixer with the Golden Knights and could even excel on the power play with some extra seasoning.

Unfortunately, we may need to wait a while to see Hyka again. With James Neal set to return from injured reserve (illness) and Reaves now reportedly drawing into the lineup, Hyka will have to continue the season playing for the Chicago Wolves.

Another reason the Knights may have sent Hyka and Matteau back to Chicago is so they can be available for the Calder Cup playoffs, which the Wolves are in position to qualify for. Yet, Hyka deserves to play in the NHL. Not the minors.

That said, though, Hyka made an impact in his brief stint with Vegas and looks like a player who could be a big part of the Knights’ organization moving forward.

This is obviously good news for the Wolves, who, after losing 2-0 against the Manitoba Moose, could use some scoring help. Hyka and Matteau will certainly be able to help in that department.