Even in the midst of their Stanley Cup Final run, the Golden Knights were looking ahead toward next season.
Here's a rundown of recent roster moves:
• Tomas Hyka, Zac Leslie, and Stefan Matteau were re-signed to one-year contracts. The trio flourished with the Chicago Wolves last year. Hyka should challenge for a job with the Golden Knights next year, while Matteau provides NHL-ready depth.
• 2017 draft picks Ben Jones and Jake Leschyshyn were signed to three-year entry-level deals.
• Forward Gage Quinney was inked to a two-year entry-level contract. The Las Vegas native and son of ex-Las Vegas Thunder star Ken Quinney, the 22-year-old enjoyed a solid rookie AHL campaign, posting 33 points with Wilkes-Barre.
• German Olympian Brooks Macek agreed to a one-year deal. The 26-year-old Canadian-born forward led the DEL with 26 goals last year.
Quinney and Macek, being the most unfamiliar names, are the focus here.
I spoke with
Janik Beichler of
Future Considerations for more insight about the 5'11" Macek.
(Future Considerations' highly-recommended 2018 NHL Draft guide is out now!)
Beichler, on Macek's NHL-caliber skills:
It seems like scouting reports out there say Macek stands out as a playmaker, but he's really a pure goal-scorer.
In any given situation, he just finds ways to score. He's really smart around the net and frequently ends up in the right place at the right time, allowing him to just tap the puck in from in close.
But, he also has a fantastic shot arsenal with a quick, powerful snap shot as well as a heavy one-timer, which makes him a strong power-play option from the left circle.
He also competes extremely hard around the net and isn't afraid to pay the price to score.
Beichler, on Macek's NHL projection:
I'm not entirely convinced he can make the NHL because he doesn't have elite tools.
His shot is certainly NHL level and he has strong hockey sense along with a good all-around skillset -– but none of it is elite or would guarantee an NHL roster spot.
That said, the North American game should be a good fit for him and I can certainly see him playing a big role in the AHL before getting a look up in Vegas at some point.
Speaking of a "big role" in the AHL, Wolves GM Wendell Young is counting on it.
"We are expecting him to be like Hyka," said Young of Macek. Hyka averaged a point per game in Chicago and was also named to the AHL All-Star team.
Young described Macek as "fast and kind of looks like [Hyka] on the ice."
As for the 5'11" Quinney, Young sees him as a "late bloomer" who will provide "secondary scoring."
***
Beichler also provided a couple Macek clips:
As for Quinney, judging by his Wilkes-Barre highlights, he's a slippery forward with good vision. Look for No. 18:
View post on imgur.com
View post on imgur.com
View post on imgur.com
***
++++I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in placing an ad here at HockeyBuzz, then send me a PM!++++
Vegas Golden Knights Blogger •Vegas Golden Knights Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»