Pacific Division: Contenders, Pretenders, Dark Horses

With Alex Pietrangelo on the shelf, we are wondering if VGK will select one or more Alternate Captain's this season to fill his spot.  Pietrangelo was an alternate for the past five seasons. VGK has also had multiple Alternate Captain's for home and away games, in the past.  We name our candidates.  VGK Rookies are scheduled to play this weekend in the Showcase in Colorado.  They will be without the services of Trevor Connolly, the top prospect, who is listed as week-to-week with a knee injury.  We also have our WTF comments from fans.

Kirill Kaprizov rejected a record-setting $128 million dollar offer from the Minnesota Wild Wednesday.  His rejection of the offer could impact the rest of the free agent market including VGK's own Jack Eichel, who told ESPN Wednesday he loves it in Las Vegas and wants to stay here. Eichel and VGK have been at the bargaining table since July.  Kelly McCrimmon is confident the two sides will come to an agreement.  We also discuss a new Health and Wellness plan aimed at helping former NHL players. 

How will VGK be cap compliant come playoff time?  Teams have to keep a roster of 20 players that are at the cap when the playoffs begin this season under the new CBA.  How will VGK factor in Alex Pietrangelo's salary?   The NHL Media Tour hit Las Vegas the past couple of days. The highlight was Mitch Marner donning a gold VGK uniform for the first time. It almost broke the internet seeing #93 on the ice.  And we talk about the lack of VGK prospects on Top 25 and Top 50 lists. 

Ivan Barbeshev was a moveable piece for VGK last season.  He was on the top line for the most part and moved around in the 2nd and 3rd lines.  We talk about where Barbashev could fit in this season. His name was out there in trade rumors all summer.  He still had 51 points for VGK and 23 goals last season, despite being moved up and down the lineup. VGK announced the Rookie Camp lineup this week and we speculate which players could move up to the next level to play for the Golden Knights this season. 

Kelly McCrimmon spoke to Pierre LeBrun from the Athletic last week.  McCrimmon called Mitch Marner elite and also said he doesn't know if Marner needed a change of scenery, he's just happy Marner is here in Las Vegas.  McCrimmon also said he feels the roster is set for this upcoming season.  And, we talk about FanDuel's point props for each team in the Pacific.  

It's NHL Goalie Week and we discuss whether Adin Hill was snubbed by NHL Network on its Top10 list.  We feel Hill should be on that list as we compare his stats to others at his position.  We also name our Top Five VGK goalies of all time.  And it's WTF Day with fan comments.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli says a Jack Eichel extension could happen before the start of the upcoming season.  He says Eichel could make between $13-13.5 million AAV.  Eichel was rumored to want around $15-million per year.  Eichel becomes a free agent after this season if he and VGK can't come to terms.  It would take a lot of stress if he signs before the puck drops on a new campaign.  The NHL post-season salary cap is discussed.  And, we talk about a Q&A between coaches and NHL refs in Detroit this week. 

Who are the Pacific Division's Contenders, Pretenders and Dark Houses?  We break the teams down by grouping.  Have L.A. or Edmonton peaked? We rank the VGK prospects following the lead of an NHL.com article. And, why the lack of NHL trade activity since July 25?  Cap concerns and VGK working on Jack Eichel's contract extension could be factors in Las Vegas. 

Mitch Marner might have been driven out of Toronto due to security concerns, especially when the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs.  Marner said he received threats and had to hire his own security people. "Great addition" said Jack Eichel on Marner's fit with VGK. And VGK that might surprise us this upcoming season. 

We list our three biggest threats to VGK this upcoming season. What will VGK be like post-Olympics with Bruce Cassidy and possibly eight players going to Milan?  Will egos get in the way this season with two superstars on the ice?  Is the Pacific Division stronger from top to bottom?  We also discuss the reduction in term contract limits and it's WTF Day.