Earlier today, the Golden Knights acquired Zac Leslie from the Kings for future considerations.
Leslie was LA's sixth-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, spending the last three seasons with their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. In Ontario, the 6'0," 175-pound blueliner tallied six goals and 33 points in 121 games. After the trade, he was re-assigned to the Chicago Wolves.
Wolves GM Wendell Young commented, "He will be one of our top-six. Hopefully, get him in the offensive role that he was in in junior."
In Leslie's last three seasons in Guelph, he rang up 37 goals and 138 points in 193 contests.
Leslie said in June 2016, after a season under the Darryl Sutter-influenced Reign, "I came from a team...it was definitely a bit more loose."
Kings Director of Player Development Nelson Emerson
added that year, "He's a dynamic player, he's quick. He provides offense.
"If he can...not allow [the offensive emphasis] to affect us negatively, then he can be a real asset."
Leslie still has his skating chops. One scout stated, "He's got some talent. Works and competes hard."
He added, "Tries to do a bit too much. Poor first pass. Lacks hockey sense."
Another scout both agreed and disagreed, "He's good with the puck. Not so much without. Lacks defensive awareness and a killer instinct."
Both agreed that the 24-year-old's game seemed to stall in Ontario. Hopefully, a change of scenery will jumpstart Leslie.
"Great person and I was told that he is smart with the puck," interjected Young. "Non-vet too."
On that point, the AHL, which is primarily a development league, requires at least 13 skaters from every team and for each game be a "development player." You can read more about the AHL development rule
here.
In short, Leslie is a fairly polished "development player" with some upside, who should make an immediate impact on the Wolves' postseason run.
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Recap of Vegas's dramatic 4-3 win over Washington on Super Bowl Sunday coming soon.
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