Over the last month I’ve broken down the situation regarding Nolan Patrick and how he found his way onto the Las Vegas Golden Knights. I encourage you to read more on his situation here: [url]https://hockeybuzz.com/blog/Guest-Writer/Taking-a-chance-on-Nolan-Patrick/163/113301[/url]
Here is how the two-step trade to acquire him broke down:
Step 1:
To the Philadelphia Flyers: Ryan Ellis
To the Nashville Predators: Phillipe Myers and Nolan Patrick
Step 2:
To the Nashville Predators: Cody Glass
To the Las Vegas Golden Knights: Nolan Patrick
Last night it was released by the team that Patrick had signed a two year contract with a 1.2 million dollar cap hit. The actual dollars are one million in year one and 1.4 million in year two. Patrick’s contract fits under the salary cap as long as Alex Tuch remains on LTIR. Given that Tuch is sidelined until at least January; enough cap space should be accrued from LTIR relief from Tuch’s absence to fit Patrick’s 1.2 hit as well as a little under a million to do something at the deadline.
Patrick started his career with consecutive +30 point seasons. The 2019-20 season was a different story. He missed the entire season with migraine issues. With questions beginning to arise about whether he could continue his career in professional hockey, he managed to put in 52 games last year. His stat line was an abysmal 52GP 4G 5A 9Pts and a whopping -30 for a +/-. The community can continue to debate how useful that statistic is, but that dramatic of a number is a clear indicator that he was caved in at 5v5
All of this said, anyone who has followed this young man’s career is aware that he has all of the talent required to be a top 6 forward in the NHL — and anyone who has followed the Golden Knights in the last calendar year knows that centers with his talent level don’t grow on trees.
Patrick will most likely start the season in a bottom six role. It’s anyone’s guess how Patrick looks coming into camp. Will he be the high flying 2nd overall pick taken in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft? — or will he be the now 23 year old forward struggling to keep his head above water at 5v5?
Let’s hope that this offseason acquisition works out for all parties involved.
Thanks for reading,
Trevor Neufeld
Blogger • 
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