The Vegas Golden Knights Are Off to a Flying Start and Have Made a Controversial Signing

The Vegas Golden Knights have yet to lose in regulation through six games. Chris Gollock of Locked on VGK talks about how they got there, plus how Mitch Mner is doing so far. All that and more on today’s Locked On NHL podcast. You’re Locked on NHL, your daily podcast on the National Hockey League, part of the Locked On Network. your team every day. Gil Martin here. Welcome everybody to today’s episode of the Locked On NHL podcast, part of the Locked On podcast network, your team every day. I want to thank everyone who makes Locked on NHL your first listen every day. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode. Today’s episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Download the FanDuel app now by visiting fanduel.com and win $300 in bonus bets if your first $5 bet wins. It is my pleasure to welcome back to the show the co-host of Locked On Vegas Golden Knights, Chris Golick. And uh Chris, you got to be happy with a 40 and2 start through six games and Vegas is leading the NHL in goals scored. Yeah, Golden Knights and the New York Islanders separated by just six points on this young season, Gill. So, just want to remind you about that. Um, but yeah, no, listen, the Golden Knights, um, Fast Starts are the MMO of Coach Cassidy since the Golden Knights and Bruce Cassidy have formed their partnership. I guess we can say it like that. Um, first couple of games for Vegas, definitely a little slower starts, coughed up lead against LA, and then that weird game against San Jose where Nelkovich felt like uh, playing the puck weirdly and giving up a halfcourt jumper to Jack Eel. But outside of that, in the Seattle game, you’re starting to see improvements as far as a 60-minute effort by the Golden Knights. And obviously, Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames was uh was an example of such? I Is there anything that surprised you so far in this fast start? I mean, people are going to say, “Look at Dorafia, but that doesn’t surprise me one bit.” People are going to look at Eel and his 15 points. More on that in the next segment. And you know, that may be a bit of a surprise. Mark Stone and his 13 points. Hopefully, uh, he doesn’t have a lingering injury as a result of an awkward fall last night, but really there’s not a lot of surprises. I mean, I guess maybe the third segment is a surprise also with the Carter Hart signing, right? Um, but the defense kind of holding it together might actually be the surprise without a healthy Alex Petrangelo. Noah Hannifan’s been out for the last few games and the defense and the goalending is getting it done. So, that’s probably my surprise right now. You mentioned Jack Eel. I mean, he’s been on fire. Uh I mean, what is he on like 186 point pace or something like that if he skips the last 10 games? Yeah. Right. Talk to me about what has made him so effective this season so far. Uh it’s progression. I think it’s the evolution of a superstar right now. Uh was very good since I mean he was very good since he’s been in the been in the league. Obviously, his situation in Buffalo was challenging as such as a young captain. Then you got the health issues, the neck, the distractions, and Vegas welcomes him with open arms. And ever since Vegas has traded for Jack Eel and now extended Jack Eel, um it’s just been a perfect relationship. It’s a young relationship, but it’s a perfect relationship. And Michael just does everything right from the community, from his on the ice habits, from his professionalism. And I can go on and on and on, but we only got 10 minutes here. Uh I mean, I would assume the key with him is keeping him healthy. Yeah. I mean, Jack, I think uh 670 games is about what it’s been for the last couple of seasons if he can find a way to be out there for close to 80 or even all 82 games. in especially with the situation he’s in. We’re we’re looking to lock up some uh some trophies for Jack in a few months. Talk to me about Mitch Marner. I mean, he’s quote unquote only third on the team in scoring with eight points through six games. Uh but also a plus seven. How has he fit in and what do you see from him so far? His creativity on the ice is the first thing that stands out. But, uh, we were at the game on Saturday. Got to see Mitch Marty score his first two goals. And the the crowd of course erupted for that. Awesome to see. Congrats to Mitch Martyr for that. But, um, his creativity in tight spaces. There’s a lot of players, they get in trouble. Chip and chase, chip and chase. Old school 80s hockey. And nothing wrong with that by any means. That’ll keep you in the league a long time. But Marner, that’s it’s almost like a quarterback looking off, you know, two or three receivers and finding a way to extend the play. I think that’s what Mitch Mner does pretty well. and he just operates extremely well in tight spaces. There’s no panic in his game and it’s it makes some dangerous passes that you know if you’re a coach or you know not necessarily a type of thing you’re going to teach your uh you know your 12-year-olds to do but he finds ways to get it done and there are many aspects of the game that he is above and I just went you know 20 seconds didn’t even talk about the defensive aspects of his game and how good of a 200 200 foot player he actually is. Are there any concerns? I mean, you’re 40 and2. I assume they wouldn’t be major, but are there any concerns after the first six games? There’s always concerns. Um, the the defense, like I said earlier, has been playing well. How long will that last? That’s a good question. Um, I still feel that a player like Zack Whitecloud is playing a little bit above his weight class right now. He’s a a very solid third pairing defenseman. He’s been up on the second pairing. Um, you got a player like Ben Hutton filling in very well right now. Is Jeremy Lison? I mean, Lison can can pound you. He can take a punch. I say take a punch. He hasn’t been a very good fighter this season, but he can take a punch and stand up for his team. And um, small but um, noteworthy Brandon Sad, someone that the Golden Knights extended for a season. Kind of a surprise in Vegas. He’s a he’s just a guy. I mean, for lack of a better term, he’s been relatively dead weight for the first six games of the season. Talk to me about the goalending. I mean, the team is scoring so much it doesn’t need its goalies to be perfect, but statistically neither Aiden Hill nor Akia Schmid are off to outstanding statistical starts. No, Schmidt is an 879. Hill is an 882. 286 goals against Hill, three for Schmid. Um, Hill’s last couple of starts have been fine. Even uh I mean he got injury or pulled early, you can say however you want. Tuesday, the last time he played the Flames. Um, but his game I believe on SA last Saturday against Seattle Kraken was fine and he had a good game against the Flames on Saturday evening this past Saturday. So, Hill is going to be fine. Hill is a product of the defense in front of him and if the defense in front of him, although we talked about concerns a few moments ago, if the defense in front of him is clicking, Hill is just fine. Hill has the ability to steal a game here or there, but definitely not among the elite goalenders, like a Jakeer, like a Shurkin, like a Logan Thompson. There you go, BK fans. Had to get one in there. A little controversy in the signing of Carter. Little little. Okay. Yeah. Little little uh the signing of Carter Hart to a PTO. your thoughts about the move and do you think he’ll actually make it to Vegas and and play in the NHL again? Last question first. 100% yes. Hart Carter Hart is going to be on this Golden Knights roster signed to a PTO right now just to kind of let the chips fall and see what happens. I mean, yes, you got to make sure that the guy can actually play the position. Yes, you got to make sure he’s going to be in hockey shape. Those are the first two boxes that need to be checked. But every comment from Hart to Cassidy to to Jackel to Mark Stone, yes, he’s going to be on this team. There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to be on this team. You asked about my thoughts. Um, very short version, I am okay with Carter Hart being employed in the National Hockey League. I am okay with the Vegas Golden Knights employing Carter Harts. I am concerned about the PR handling of the Carter Hart signing. Very national story. Mark Lazaros, the national with the athletic if I’m not mistaken. Um he asked a simple question to Noah Hannifan maybe three weeks ago in the BGK locker room and unfortunately um the the team uh asked him from the facility and yanked his credentials for that evening. So the Golden Knights handling of this has been strange. You did not see Kelly Mcrimman, George McI or owner Bill Foley address the Carter Hart signing. And even though Kelly Mcrimman, like when Coach Cassidy was hired, Mcrimman sits right next to Coach Cassidy in the press conference, uh, Mcrimman calls press conferences to discuss trade deadline acquisitions and extensions and all sorts of things. Um, I don’t think it was the best PR move not to have someone from the front office addressing the Carter situation. What would you have liked them to have said? It’s not what I would have liked them to have said. That’s what I would have liked him not to say. So, the Golden Knights put a statement out there about the team’s core values. And again, the Carter Hart situation, I know there’s a split as far as perspectives about what happened on that evening, and that’s for people to debate among themselves. I’m not going to debate that. Um, but the Golden Knights do have some players on their roster and and a member of the coaching staff that do have a troubled history. And it’s hard to look at core values when you have those things and going on within the locker room. Fair enough. Chris, why don’t you tell our viewers and our listeners where they could find the podcast and where they could find you and your co-host on social media. For sure. Uh you can check out the Lockdown Vegas Golden Knights podcast on YouTube and anywhere you catch your podcast. Uh myself and Tony Cordasco. Uh we have words. All right, Chris. Thank you so much. Thanks, Bill. Today’s episode is brought to you by Monarch. Let’s be honest, most of us can’t even name all our financial accounts, let alone what they’re worth. 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The Vegas Golden Knights are off to a strong start to the season as they are scoring more than any team in the league so far.

Chris Gawlik of Locked On Vegas Golden Knights discusses the fast start, Jack Eichel’s torrid pace and the controversial signing of goalie Carter Hart to a PTO.

All this and more on today’s Locked On NHL Podcast with Gil Martin.

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