Going into the 2024 NHL Entry Draft weekend for the Vegas Golden Knights, it looked like it would be one with more flash live on the Sphere stage live from Las Vegas, Nevada than with any team decisions that might be made. Then they drafted Left Wing Trevor Connelly. And with his well-documented character baggage with the 19th overall selection, and the theory started to go wobbly.
Lots Was Happening Regarding the Vegas Golden Knights Goalies at the 2024 NHL Draft
Then, on Saturday’s draft, the Golden Knights traded goaltender Logan Thompson. They traded him to the Washington Capitals for a couple of third rounders, and then, things got…fun. It sparked a mini flurry of action that brought another deal sending Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid to the Golden Knights for Paul Cotter that took more than a minute to wrap one’s head around.
Once things settled going into Sunday, there was a sense that the backup come October would be either Schmid or third round pick G Pavel Moysevich. Then, one Phase 3 MCU binge after the Thompson and Cotter deals, and General Manager Kelly McCrimmon came along to say “Nay!” (in a sense). Now for the Vegas Golden Knights with the 2024 NHL Entry Draft over and the free agency window open, the options the team may take a look at aren’t as showy and drama-like as last night’s “Interview with the Vampire” finale. But there are some jewels that could fit in behind Adin Hill perfectly.
Casey DeSmith
DeSmith has made a good living as a goalie “fixer” since coming to the Pittsburgh Penguins seven seasons ago. That type of utility leaves a lot of options for Head Coach Bruce Cassidy in a backup role. That is whether as an injury buffer or someone who can slide in for a chunk of the year to keep Hill fresh. The fact he’s only had one season as a professional or even collegiate hockey player with a GAA above 3 (2022-23 with Pittsburgh it was 3.17) is added proof of the high value he could bring to the team next season. Plus, given how well he played from the end of the season straight through to the second round series against Edmonton where he got injured, one could argue he might have had a shot at a Stanley Cup.
Anthony Stolarz/Kaapo Kahkonen
Yes, this is a little double dip. But there are a lot of similarities in terms of how they’ve both shown flickers of talent and potential, including points streaks of six or more games at some point in their careers (Stolarz just this past season, and Kähkonen in late January 2022 back in Minnesota). Between the two, the Finnish netminder poses the best possible bet for the team. At least if he can, like the entire city of San Jose, forget the last couple of seasons as a member of the San Jose Sharks ever happened. Moreover, there is a lot of interest in the 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Stolarz.
Stanley Cup champion goaltender Anthony Stolarz will have a decision to make. Three teams, including Florida and Toronto are working on signing the 6’6 tender.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 1, 2024
The Vegas Golden Knights Goalie Search After the 2024 NHL Entry Draft Lands on Eric Comrie
This isn’t a choice that would elicit a lot of confidence if next season sparks the same injury gremlins as this season. His best season as a professional was three years ago with the Buffalo Sabres. That year he posted a 10-5-1 record, wtih a 2.58 GAA, and .920 SV% in 19 games. This was followed by a steep fall the next season (2-7-0, 3.69 GAA, and .874 save% in 10 games). Answering whether that fall was a blip is crucial to see if this ever shifts from rumour to serious. At best, it could become a version of Craig Anderson when he first arrived with the Ottawa Senators. At worst, given Schmid’s presence playing with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, he could go to waivers or a contender at the next trade deadline.
Wild Card: Tristan Jarry
This is a wild card based solely on our gut, and not the list. There’s his well-documented injury and inconsistency issues that are worth factoring in a hypothetical deal. That and the fact the Pittsburgh Penguins don’t seem intent to deal Tristan Jarry. But as a backup, when he’s in the proverbial zone in net. Furthermore, he makes a good deal of sense for this team. Especially if they’re caught in another hard fought series or two come next post-season.
Main photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
