Two defensemen. Two very different styles. One striking similarity.
Zach Whitecloud and Dylan Coghlan are two defensemen battling for one, maybe two openings on the Vegas Golden Knights’ blue line. Before the start of camp, the two were assumed to be at the tail-end of the competition, behind Nicolas Hague and Jimmy Schuldt. Whitecloud is the defensively sound player who can be relied on with the game on the line. Coghlan is the high-scoring, flashy d-man who can make something happen in the blink of an eye. After Rookie Camp, the Rookie Faceoff Tournament, Training Camp, and the first four preseason games in the books, Whitecloud and Coghlan have stood out as the best defensemen of the group auditioning for the Golden Knights.
Exhibit A: Zach Whitecloud
Zach Whitecloud can do it all and can help the PK (USA Today Sports)
Whitecloud is outstanding in his own zone, cut in the same cloth as McNabb. His AHL-leading plus-39 rating displays just how good he is defensively. The 22-year-old is also mature beyond his years and his uncanny poise has been on display throughout the preseason. When paired with Brayden McNabb, they have looked the part of a prototypical shutdown pair for the Golden Knights. Supplimenting his clear-cut superiority in the defensive zone, Whitecloud has also shown an expanded skill set, opening eyes every time he takes the ice.
”Everything feels great. My two-way game, I have confidence in that. I’m confident defending, I’m confident transitioning pucks and getting pucks in the forwards’ hands.”
His on-ice play has been at an NHL level throughout camp and there’s no doubt that he’s physically ready to make the jump to the Golden Knights. What’s tricky and somewhat hard to project for up-and-coming players, is if they are mentally ready for that workload and the grind of life as an NHL player. One conversation with Whitecloud is all it takes to answer that question. He is very poised, articulate, and insightful. He never fails to mention who he currently is and aspires to be, not only as a hockey player, but as a person and a professional at the highest level. Prior to their preseason home-opener, a win over the Arizona Coyotes, he mentioned how he wanted to be a better person, something he credits to his upbringing. He's also been quick to point out former Golden Knights defenseman Brad Hunt, for helping him learn the ropes and even giving him rides during his first camp.
”You want to represent the Vegas Golden Knights as a whole. You want to represent them the best that you can, whether that’s on the ice, off the ice, or in the community. You conduct yourself as a good human being because overall….you’re representing the people of Las Vegas, the fans, and the organization.“
With a sound body and mind, it’s clear that Whitecloud can make the transition to the NHL, if the Golden Knights so choose.
Exhibit B: Dylan Coghlan
On the other hand, Coghlan came into camp as the dynamic offensive-defenseman, with tons of goal-scoring potential and confidence, akin to Shea Theodore. He finished his first pro season – with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) – as the leading goal scorer for all Wolves defensemen. His 15 goals were two more than Hague, a man he has grown close to and is competing with in camp. While his 15 goals and 40 points in his first pro season came as a surprise to most, perhaps it shouldn’t have.
Coghlan's offense is hard to ignore (AT&T SportsNet)
Coghlan’s previous two seasons in the Western Hockey League, as a member of the Tri-City Americans were double-digit goal seasons. He scored 32 goals total in the last two years and simply kept going once he hit the AHL. It’s very hard to ignore a defenseman who has point totals of 53, 64, and 40 heading into camp, especially one who is playing as well as Coghlan at the mid-way point of the preseason.
His meteoric rise through camp started in the 2019 Rookie Faceoff. Although the Golden Knights finished the event with a tragic 0-3-0 record, Coghlan’s light shone bright. Not only was the young d-man responsible in his own zone, he put up numbers. Coghlan left the tournament with a point in all three games. In Game One, a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Coghlan netted both of the Golden Knights’ tallies, on five shots. In Game Two, a very physical loss to the Arizona Coyotes, he recorded an assist. Game Three saw Coghlan find the net once again, in a losing effort against the hosting Anaheim Ducks. Finishing that tournament with a trio of goals and an assist set Coghlan up for a great camp and he has yet to disappoint.
In his three games of preseason action, Coghlan has recorded one assist and more importantly, hasn’t been a defensive liability. He shows decisiveness when deciding when he can pinch or when he needs to hold his gaps and let the forwards do the work. Most young, dynamic defensemen have growing pains in that regard, but Coghlan has done a terrific job making those calls. He has played with a few different partners, but has looked phenomenal alongside former University of Michigan captain Jon Merrill, a direct job vacancy at the NHL level. In their last game against the rival San Jose Sharks, Coghlan quieted his few remaining doubters with his defensive play, masterfully breaking up a 2-on-1 odd-man rush, in front of the flower, Marc-Andre Fleury.
Whitecloud's stock has risen this month, with his improved two-way play (USA Today Sports)
Both Coghlan and Whitecloud have stood out this month. Their play in all three zones has been strong and they have asserted themselves in the fight for a spot on the big club. With aging vets Nick Holden and Deryk Engelland in the mix, it may behoove the Golden Knights brass to promote both young men, instantly strengthening their defense corps. Both men have the ability to play with multiple partners, while also appealing to both special teams units. It may be risky to some, promoting and playing two rookie defensemen, but these two seem to be the real deal and have earned a chance to prove it, at the highest level.
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