There's another Vegas team opening their season this week.
Tonight, the Golden Knights host the Flyers in T-Mobile Arena. On Friday, their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, take on the Eagles in Colorado for a weekend series.
On that note, the AHL has slashed prices dramatically for their streaming platform. Last season, the league charged $299.99 for every game. This year, it's
down to $79.99, with the option of streaming one team for an even lower price. There's also a free preview this weekend.
To forecast Chicago's season, I spoke with Wolves GM Wendell Young, who shared a wealth of interesting tidbits.
Curtis McKenzie, Daniel Carr, Brandon Pirri, Tomas Hyka, Brooks Macek, and T.J. Tynan are expected to star up front for the Wolves, while Oscar Dansk and Maxime Lagace should provide security between the pipes.
On the blueline, Chicago will feature a very green defense, between prospects Erik Brannstrom, Nicolas Hague, Zach Whitecloud, and Dylan Coghlan.
However, Young believes that this young but talented defensive corps is capable of being the backbone of a Calder Cup contender.
"We're going to have Vegas skills coach [Scott Jones] coming in a little more this year," indicated Young. "On an everyday basis, Chris Dennis, one of our assistants, runs the defense. Our other assistant Bobby Nardella was a long-time defenseman for the Wolves, he's really good in that department too.
"There will be a lot of teaching moments."
This youth hasn't prevented Young from penciling in three Vegas prospects into Chicago's top-four. Depending on their progress, you might see them in the show sooner than later.
"Looking at my top-four defensemen, Reinhart, Brannstrom, Whitecloud, or Hague, any of those four could easily go up [by mid-season]," said Young. To start the season, he expects Brannstrom to be paired with Griffin Reinhart, while Hague should skate with Whitecloud.
Young did acknowledge a possible learning curve for these young rearguards, who will be exposed to their first extensive AHL minutes.
"It's tough on defense because you can get exposed pretty easily. You can hide more as a forward, especially as a winger. It's tough on the D because you get into more one-on-one situations. If you lose a battle, it ends up being a scoring chance," explained Young. "A forward can lose a battle along the boards, but you've got everyone covering up for you."
Besides the defense, Young also talked about the improvements that he hopes to see from Hyka, Keegan Kolesar, Reid Duke, Tyler Wong, Gage Quinney, and Oscar Dansk. He also debunked the notion that Hyka and Whitecloud suffered disappointing training camps. Finally, he also revealed which Wolves-contracted player might earn a Golden Knights contract this season.
Let's start up front and work our way back.
Tomas Hyka
I think he had a good camp. Everyone thought that.
He didn't do anything to hurt himself. They know what they're going to get from him.
Two guys who stayed around were McKenzie and Carr. I think they wanted to get them acclimated more, see them for themselves.
He's amongst the mix [for call-ups]. It's what you need [at the time]. McKenzie and Carr. Pirri and Tynan had a great camp. Matteau.
He has to be more consistent. He has to take advantage of his speed. Every shift, he has to use his speed. I don't think that happens every shift.
Keegan Kolesar
He had to get half a step quicker. That's not just skating faster. That's also half a step quicker in terms of getting body position, so he can get his shot off. Because he has a great shot.
It's also getting your back to the [backchecker] so you can receive the puck. And he has trimmed down. You can see it.
Reid Duke
Duke was in a tough spot last year. Had surgery, came into the last 15 games of the season where everybody has played all year.
I've seen signs this year though, handling the puck, pushing the pace. Last year, I don't want to say I didn't see it, but he played under tough circumstances.
Tyler Wong
I expect more offense out of him. He's got a good shot, he can skate.
That said, he became a really, really responsible defensive player last year. He changed his game a bit.
Getting better at faceoffs too, he can play wing and center.
Gage Quinney
He can shoot the puck. He's good defensively too. He's a lot like Wade Megan, he's got an offensive and defensive side.
He's a whack-and-hack guy. He just goes out and plays the game.
Matthew Weis
He's on an AHL contract, but he could eventually move into an NHL contract.
He got hurt at the end of his college career. I've been told if he hadn't been hurt, he'd probably have an NHL deal.
He's a skill forward. In college, he could slow the game down and control it. He's a smart player.
Zach Whitecloud
I thought Zach had a good camp. But it's a process.
Whitecloud can come down and learn the pro game.
Remember, the Golden Knights don't have to force anybody into the line-up.
[He has to] have his head up all the time. Move the puck right away. Things are quicker in the NHL.
Small defensive things like stick position [can improve].
He's hockey 24/7. He's focused. Some guys have to learn to work hard, not Zach.
Erik Brannstrom
It's just defensive hockey [he has to improve]. His positioning.
Also, when to go, when not to go up ice. Being a little more selective. You don't have to go every time. You don't have to be the first guy in the other team's zone.
We're not going to put the reins on him, but he has to go at the proper time.
Nic Hague
He just has to keep getting better as a skater.
His improvement in skating over the years has been unbelievable.
He's a young guy, big guy, still growing into his body.
Dylan Coghlan
He's another offensive guy.
[He has to improve] his positioning on the ice, his defending. Through the neutral zone, getting body position.
Oscar Dansk
It's consistency [he has to improve]. More than any position, you need your goalie to be consistent.
You're going to have off games, but you can't have it every second game.
[Max & Oscar] did get better throughout the season.
Right now, I think he can be a [NHL] back-up. Maybe eventually fold into being a starter.
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